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"STONEWALL JACKSON" 

A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS 

IN THE LIFE OF LIEUT-GENERAL THOMAS 

JONATHAN JACKSON, C. S. A. 

BY ELIHU S. RILEY, I . H. D. 
author of 

"The National Debt that American Pkotestants Owe to 
Their Brethren of the Roman Cathouc Church ;" ''An 
American Satyr — The Morbid Misconstruction and Male- 
volent Misrepresentation of American Catholics a Menace 
TO THE Republic;" "MARYL^ND — The Pioneer of Religious 
Liberty;" "The Ancient City — A History of Annapolis in 
Maryland;" ''First Citizen and Antilon;" "A History of 
the General Assembly of Maryland;" "Ye Antient Capital 
of Maryland;" "Riley's Historic Map of Annapolis;" 
"Yorktown;" a Historic Drama; Co-Editor of "The Bench 
AND Bar of Maryland;" Author of "A History of Anne 
Arundel County, Maryland." 



Copyrighted by Elihi: S. Riley, 1920. 



In Paper, $1.00; Postage to be added. In Cloth, S2.00; Postage 

to be added. 

Address Riley's Historic Series, P. O. Box 34, Annapolis, Md. 



1920. 
AXNAPOUS, MARYLAND. 



E d f-i 



.JisT^ST 



OCT 26 rj20 



©CU60i058 




LIEUTENANT-GENERAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON 
Confederate Stales Army 



PREFACE. 

What a mail says and what a man does are the indices of his worth, 
cliaracter and accomplishments. Hence, biography is the most inter- 
esting and instructive of literary work. It informs us of men — the 
highest type of creation on earth and the companions of our daily 
life — the custodians, in an exalted degree, of our happiness, and the 
friends or foes, as our intercourse makes them, of our progress, our 
success and our liberties. 

These anecdotes of, and incidents in the life of. General Thomas 
Jonathan Jackson, of the Confederate States Army, present the reflex 
of his life. He is the vital force in them, and his real character is 
displayed by them in the strongest and yet the simplest language 
possible. They are living words. They show him acting in the moving 
drama of life. They are what he was. 

Numbers of these anecdotes and incidents about him have never 
before seen the light of print. They were gathered by the author 
from the lips of men who belonged to the invincible band of that 
immortal Corps that he in life commanded — ^he Stonewall Brigade. 

Thomas Jonathan Jackson was a product of the American people. 
His fadeless renown is the legacy of all America. The family quarrel 
is over. It has strengthened the bonds of Union. All martial deeds 
and prowess exhibited in that mighty contest, belong to every patriotic 
citizen. The presers-ation of the wonderful annals of Stonewall Jack- 
son's brilliant achievements is a sacred duty to the South, the Union and 
to all mankind. 

It is the hope of the author of this volume that the facts and inci- 
dents in the splendid life and lustrous career of Thomas Jonathan Jack- 
son, related in this book, may prompt the youth who read them to 
emulate the glowing virtues and to imitate the noble example of the 
Christian warrior of whom they are written. 

EIJHU S. RILEY. 
Annapolis. Md. May 17, 1920. 



"STONEWALL JACKSON" 



CHAPTER ONE. 



STONEWALL JACKSON'S MAXIMS OF MILITARY 
STRATEGY. 



Description of Jackson's Maxims of Military Strategy, by Gen. 
John M. Imboden, C. S. A. — Statement of Jackson's View of War 
by Dr. Hunter McGuire — Jackson's Knowledge of the Operations 
of the Enemy— Jackson Made Himself the Master of the Topog- 
raphy of the Country in Which He Was Operating — Jackson's Tac- 
tics — Account of in Lecture by One of His Staff, Capt. James 
Power Smith. 

Stonewall Jackson's Maxims of Military Strategy.— "Jackson's 
military operations were always unexpected and mysterious. In my per- 
sonal intercourse with him in the early part of the war, before he had 
become famous, he often said there were two things never to be lost 
sight of by a military commander — 'x\lways mystify, mislead, and 
surprise the enemy, if possible; and, when you strike and overcome 
him. never let up in the pursuit so long as your men have strength to 
follow ; for an army routed, if hotly pursued, becomes panic-stricken, 
and can thus be destroyed by half their number. The other rule is, 
never fight against heavy odds, if, by any possible manoeuvring, you 
can hurl your own force on only a part, and that the weakest part, of 
your enemy and crush it. Such tactics will win every time, and a 
small army may. thus destroy a large one in detail, and repeated vic- 
tory will make it invincilile.' His celerity of movement was a simple 
matter. He never broke down his men by too-long-contiiuied march- 
ing. He rested his whole column very often, but only for a few 
minutes at a time. I remember that he liked to see the men lie down 
flat on the ground to rest, and would say, 'A man rests all over when 
he lies down'." — General John M. Imboden, in Battles and Leaders of 
the Civil War, \o\. 2. pp. 297-8. 



8 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOIES'OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"His (Jackson's) view of war and its necessities was of the sternest. 
'War means fighting; to fight is the duty of a soldier; march swiftly, 
strike the foe with all your strength and take away from him every- 
thing you can. Injure him in every possible way, and do it quickly'." 
Jackson's words as recorded by his Surgeon-General, Dr. Hunter 
McGuire. 

Jackson's Knowledge of the Operations of the Enemy. — "Jackson's 
knowledge of what the enemy were doing or about to do was some- 
times very wonderful. I have already stated what he said to Presi- 
dent Davis at the first Manassas, 'Give me twenty thousand fresh 
troops tomorrow, and I'll capture Washington', and it turned out 
afterward that he was right and that with the number he asked he 
could easily have captured Washington." — Dr. Hunter McGuire. 

Jackson Made Himself the Master of the Topography of the Coun- 
try in Which He was Operating. — "He (Jackson) kept the most mi- 
nute knowledge of the topography of the country in which he was 
campaigning, and the roads over which he might move, and often when 
his men were asleep in their bivouac, he was riding to and fro inspect- 
ing the country and the roads. * * * 

"But when he began to ask me which side of certain creeks were 
the highest, and whether there was not a 'blind road,' turning off at 
this point or that, and showed the most perfect familiarity with the 
country, and the roads, I had to interrupt him by saying : 'Excuse me, 
General. I thought I knew not only every road, but every footpath in 
that region, but I find that you really know more about them than I do, 
and I can give you no information that would be valuable to you'." — 
Chaplain J. Wm. Jones, C. S. A., South. Hist. Mag., Vol. 35, p. 91. 

Jackson's Tactics. — "He mystified and deceived his enemy by 
concealment from his own generals and his own staff. We were led to 
believe things very far from his purpose. Major Hotchkiss, his topo- 
graphical engineer, told me that the General would for hours study 
the map in one direction, and would at daylight move in the opposite 
direction." — James Poivcr Smith, a member of his staff, in a lecture. 

It has been handed down orally that General Jackson also said, 
"You must do something that the other fellow thinks nobody but a 
fool would do." 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAIJ, JACKSON', LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 

CHAPTER TWO. 



JACKSON'S APPOINTMENT TO WEST POINT. 

A Village Blacksmith Opened the Way to Stonewall Jackson's 
Great Military Career — A Leading Lawyer in His Family Gave 
Jackson a Special Letter — Jackson Resolved to Go to Washington 
Immediately — The Secretary of War Gives Jackson the Appoint- 
ment — Jackson Illy Prepared, But Passed the Examination — Jack- 
son Stood Low in His Studies in the First Term — Studies Gunfire 
by the Light of the Grate — He Rose Steadily in His Class — None 
of the Classes Possessed More Than Jackson the Respect and Con- 
fidence of All — Jackson Was Surprised That He Passed the First 
Exam. — Jackson Had a Ready Word in Answer, and Presented a 
Fine Soldiery Appearance — Graduated in 1846, at the Age of 22. 

Jackson's Appointment to West Point. — It was the village black- 
smith who opened the way to Stonewall Jackson's great military 
career. A youth, from the same Congressional district in which 
Jackson lived, had resigned from West Point because he found the 
demands of its curriculum too severe for him. It was the talk of the 
neighborhood. One day while shoeing the horse of young Jackson's 
uncle, the thoughtful smithy said to him: '"Now here is a good chance 
for Tom Jackson, as he is so anxious to get an education." Plis Uncle 
Cummins was pleased at the suggestion, and, on reaching home, in- 
formed Thomas of the opportunity to obtain an appointment to West 
Point. Thomas received the pro])osition with enth.usiasm, and imme- 
diately commenced to secure the open cadetship. Legion were the 
friends of this manly and independent young man, and all were ready 
to aid him. They joined in a letter to the Hon. Samuel Hays, the 
member of the House of Representatives from the district, petitioning 
him to have Thomas appointed. 

A leading lawyer, connected with his own family, Thomas asked 
to give him a special letter. This friend, for he proved his friendship 
in the end. asked him "if he did not fear that his education was not 
sufficient to enable him to enter and sustain himself at Wegt Point?" 
Jackson's countenance momentarily fell ; but quickly recovering him- 
self, he answered: 'T know that I shall have the application necessary 
to succeed : I hope that I have the capacity ; at least, I am determined 
to try, and I want you to help me." His friend gave him a strong 



10 A THESAURUS OF \NECDOTES QF AND INCIDENTS IN 

letter of endorsement, in which he particularly dwelt upon the appli- 
cant's boldness of spirit and determination. 

Mr. Hays promised to do all that he could to secure the appointment 
for him, on which Jackson resolved to go to Washington immediately. 
Packing his wardrobe into a pair of saddle-bags, Jackson started off to 
Clarksburg to meet the stage. Missing it. he pushed on until he came 
up with it. Arriving at Washington, Jackson went at once to Mr. 
Hays, who took him immediately to the Secretary of War. "The 
Secretary plied him with questions," and the parley was described as 
"gruff and heroic ; but, with the grit of Old Hickory, this young 
Jackson was neither to be bluffed nor driven from his purpose," and 
such a favorable impression did the ambitious young man make on 
the Secretary that he gave him the appointment, and added : "Sir, 
you have a good name. Go to West Point, and the first man who 
insults you, knock him down and have it charged to my account !" 

Denying himself the invitation to be the guest of the secretary for 
a few days, Jackson gave himself the one pleasure of ascending the 
dome of the Capitol, and left with a letter of introduction from Mr. 
Hays to the Faculty of West Point, giving him a good character, and 
an endorsement of his brave spirit, and requesting that due allowance 
might be made for his defects of education. The examination was 
lenient and Thomas Jonathan Jackson became a cadet at West Point, 
in 1842. 

Jackson was illy prepared theoretically to proceed with his studies ; 
but mentally, morally and physically he was well equipped for the 
arduous task before him. "We were," says an old classmate, "study- 
ing algebra, and maybe analytical geometry, that winter, and Jackson 
was very low in his class standing. All lights were put out at 'taps,' 
and just before the signal he would pile up his grate with anthracite 
coal, and, lying prone before it on the floor, would work away at his 
lessons by the glare of the fire, which scorched his very brain, till a 
late hour of the night." By determination he rose steadily in his 
class, and it was said of him by his fellow-cadets, "If we had to stay 
here another year, 'Old Jack' would be at the head of his class." 

Jackson was surprised that he passed his first examination safely, 
for he had so fully anticipated failing that he had prepared his answer 
to the gibes of his associates at home : "If they had been there, and 
found it as hard as he did, thev would have failed, too." His name 



THE LIFE OF STONEVV ALI, JACKSON, LIEIJT.-GEN., C. S. A. 11 

was the last on the safe side when the pen was drawn between tlie 
successful and unsuccessful cadets of his class. 

Jackson, in the last year of his cadetship, wore a moustache, and 
had as his chief friend Cadet Thompson, with whom he was con- 
stantly to be found. 

The classmate above quoted said of Jackson : "T believe he went 
through the very trying ordeal of the four years at West Point with- 
out ever having a hard word or a bad feeling from cadet or professor ; 
and while there were many who seemed to surpass him in graces of 
intellect, in geniality and in good fellowship, there was no one of our 
class who more absolutely possessed the respect and confidence of all." 

Jackson's sense of humor was touched later in life when he con- 
sidered how much importance he then gave to the opinions and com- 
panions of his youth. 

Jackson became erect under the discipline of West Point and 
presented a "fine, soldierly appearance." 

He graduated frorn West Point June 30th. 1846, at the age of 
twenty-two years, and received the brevet rank of second lieutenant 
in the artillery. 



12 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER THREE. 



THE SERVICES OF STONEWALL JACKSON IN THE 
MEXICAN WAR. 



Jackson Applied for the Position of Second Lieutenant in Captain 
John Bankhead Magruder's Battery — Jackson Complimented by 
Captain Magruder in His Official Report in the Action of Cheru- 
busco— In the Battle of Chapultepec, General Wirth Referred to 
Jackson as "The Gallant Jackson"— Of the First Number of Double 
Brevets Jackson Was Among the Number and Was Brevette<! 
Major — Jackson Elected Professor of Natural and Experimental 
Philosophy and Artillery Tactics in the Virginia Military Institute 
—Jackson Was Afraid the Fire of Battle Would Not be Hot Enough 
for Him to Distinguish Himself — Lieutenant Jackson's Zeal in 
Battle Makes Him Compromise the Truth — A Strange Intruder in 
Lieutenant Jackson's Room — Jackson Second in a Duel. 

Jackson in the Mexican War. — When Lieutenant Jackson gradu- 
ated from West Point, the Mexican War was in progress. He was 
ordered immediately to report for duty with the First Regiment of 
Artillery. On the 9th day of March, 1874, he saw the disembarcation of 
13,500 American soldiers near \>ra Cruz. Their enthusiasm and the 
splendor of the military pageant impressed the young officer greatly. 
The city was taken in a few days. In the attack Captain John Bankhead 
Magruder. as commander of a battery of light field artillery, notably 
distinguished himself. Pie was a vef-y strict disciplinarian, and when the 
post of second lieutenant in his battery became vacant, few wanted to 
serve under him. Lieutenant Jackson applied for the position, for he 
saw its advantages, and was accepted. With such a daring officer, 
Jackson had the opportunity of displaying his gallantry. In the action 
of Cherubusco, Capt. Magruder lost his first lieutenant early in the 
fight, and Jackson was advanced to his place. In his official report. 
Captain Magruder stated: — "In a few moments. Lieutenant Jackson, 
commanding the second section of the battery, who had opened fire 
upon the enemy's works from a position on the right, hearing our 
fire still further in front, advanced in handsome style, and being as- 
signed by me to the post so gallantly filled by Lieut. Johnstone, kept 
up the fire with great briskness and effect. His conduct was equally 
conspicuous during the whole day, and I cannot too highly commend 



TITIC LIFE OF STONEWAIJ, JACKSON. IJEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 13 

him to the Major-General's favorable consideration." For his gallantry 
in this engagement, Lieut. Jackson received the brevet of captain. 

Of Jackson in the assault on the Castle of Chapultepec, Captain Ma- 
gruder said : — "I beg leave to call the attention of the major-general 
commanding to the conduct of Lieutenant Jackson of the First Artil- 
lery. If devotion, industry, talent and gallantry are the highest qualities 
of the soldier, then is he entitled to the distinction which their pos- 
session confers. I have been ably seconded in all operatio;is of the 
battery by him ; and upon this occasion, when circumstances placed 
him in command for a short time of an independent section, he proved 
himself eminently worthy of it." Oi Jackson in this battle, General 
Pillow reported: — "The advanced section of the battery, under the 
command of brave Lieutenant Jackson, was dreadfully cut up, and 
almost disabled — Captain Magruder's battery, one section of which 
was served with great gallantry by himself and the other by his brave 
lieutenant, Jackson, in face of a galling fire from the enemy's position, 
did invaluable service." 

General \\^orth referred to him as "the gallant Jackson, who, al- 
though he had lost most of his horses and many of his men, continued 
chivalrously at his post, combatting with noble courage." 

After the castle of Chapultepec had been captured by assault and 
the Mexicans were retreating, Jackson came up with two pieces of artil- 
lery and joined Lieutenant D. H. Hill and Bernard Bee. They pressed 
on rapidly. Captain Magruder now reached them and said that he 
feared losing Jackson's two guns, as the division of Gen. Worth was 
far behind ; but his enthusiastic young officer's pleadings allowed the 
artillerymen to continue to march. General Ampudia, with two thou- 
sand cavalrymen, made as if he would charge the Americans. The 
guns were unlimbered, and a heavy fire was opened upon the Mexicans, 
who immediately retreated. It was not prudent to proceed further 
without support. The work the Battery executed later in the day at the 
Garita of San Cosme became a part of the official reports. At the 
storming of Chapultepec Jackson received the brevet of ]\fajor. Of 
the first number of double brevets, five or six, Jackson was amongst 
the number, and there were no others distributed in his class. 

The United States forces left Mexico in the summer of 1848 and 
]\Iajor Jackson's command was stationed at Fort Hamilton, on Long 
Island. 



14 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTESIDF AND INCIDENTS IN 

At the close of his two years of service at Fort Hamilton^ Mijor' 
Jackson was ordered to Fort Meade, near Tampa Bay, in Florida. 
Here he remained six months. 

On March 27th, 1851, Major Jackson was elected Professor of 
Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Artillery Tactics in the 
Virginia Military Institute, at Lexington, Va. 

This election came about in a very singular manner. There were 
both difficulty and differences in filling the vacancy that had occurred 
in this chair. Colonel F. H. Smith, the President of the Institute, and 
the Faculty were not in accord. x\fter several efforts to fill the seat, 
Colonel Smith asked his friend. Major Hill, to help him. Major Hill 
recalled that, during the Mexican War, Captain Taylor, of the Artil- 
lery, had said to him while making a call upon him : — "Here comes 
Lieutenant Jackson. He was constantly rising in his class at West 
Point, and if the course had been a year longer, he would have gradu- 
ated at the head of his class. He will make his mark in this war." 
Major Hill proposed Jackson's name, and as it was agreeable to the 
President of the institute, Jackson was elected to the vacant Profes- 
sorship. 

Jackson resigned from the service, and so ended Major Jackson's 
career in the United States Army. 

General Jackson's Zeal in Battle Makes Him Compromise the 
Truth. — It was at the battle of Chapultepec in Mexico, in 1847, when 
he commanded with bravery and brilliancy a battery of artillery, that 
Jackson made the only compromise with truth in his life. The fight 
was bitter and the odds in numbers against the x\mericans. At the 
moment when a cannon ball passed between Jackson's legs, he stepped 
out and assured his men, "there ivas no danger." 

A Strange Intruder. — During the Mexican campaign. Lieut. Jack- 
son was asked by some one to take care of a treasure. He rook it to his 
room and placed it under his bed. In the night he felt his bed rise up 
and the Lieutenant arose and looked under his bed : but could see no 
one. He went back to his couch. Then he felt it lifted up again. This 
time he took his sword and poked it under the bed. and still could 
discover no intruder. At that moment he had the mystery unravelled 
by hearing people in the street talking about an earthquake in progress. 

Jackson was Afraid that the First Battle He Was in Would Not 
be Hot Enough for Him to Distinguish Himself in it. — General 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAJ.L JACKSON, MEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 15 

Jackson was a man of intense temporal ambitions. When asked what 
were his feelings when first under fire in Mexico, he said : — 'Afraid 
the fire would not be hot enough for me to distinguish myself." and yet 
to the same one who had put this question, has warm friend, Dr. Hunter 
McGuire, he said, in talking one dreary winter night in the doctor's 
tent, that "he would not exchange one moment of his life hereafter, for 
all the earthly glory he could win." 

Stonewall Jackson Second in a Duel. — "While serving in the 
Valley of Mexico, he (Jackson), acted as second in a duel between two 
officers of the new infantry regiments — the 10th I believe. General 
Birkett Fry told me the incident as follows : 

"Lieutenant Lee, of Virginia, was the Adjutant of the Regiment, 

who, feeling himself aggrieved by Captain , of Philadelphia, 

sent him a challenge. The Captain was an avowed duelist, and an 
expert rifle shot, and accepted Lee's challange. They were to fight 
rifles at forty paces. Jackson and Fry were seconds to Lee. Jackson 
won the word, which he delivered, standing in the position of a soldier, 
in stentorian tones, audible over a forty-acre lot. The rifles cracked 
together, and Jackson, astounded that his man was still standing, said 
to Fry : 'What shall we do now ? They will demand another shot.' 
'We will grant it with pistols at ten paces,' said Fry, and, as he said, 
the second of the Captain came forward and demanded another shot. 
'We agree,' said Jackson, 'and we will fight with pistols at ten paces.' 
The Captain declined the terms. The men were never reconciled. The 
Captain died many years afterward, regretting that he had not killed 
hee.— General Davney H. Maury, in S. H. Mag., Vol. 25, pp. 312-3. 



M 



16 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER FOUR. 



THE FIRST STAGES OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH 
STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Jackson Would Only Engage in Military Services at the Approval 
of His Conscience — Jackson Calm Under the Rising Cloud of War — 
Jackson Studying Problems of War — Jackson a Debater — How 
General Jackson Met the Approaching Storm of War. 

General Jackson Would Only Engage in Military Service With 
the Approval of His Conscience. — "\Mien General Jackson men- 
tioned the project (that of securing a Professorship in the University of 
Virginia) to his friend Colonel Robert E. Lee, of ^■irginia, then Super- 
intendent at West Point, Lee said to him : — "Have you not departed 
here from what you told me, upon coming to this military school, was 
the purpose of your life?" (He referred to Jackson's belief that war 
was his proper vocation.) Jackson, who seemed never to forget his own 
most casual remarks, or to overlook the obligation to maintain con- 
sistency with what he had once said, replied : — 'I avow that my views 
have changed.' He then proceeded to explain, while he should ever 
retain the same conviction concerning his own adaptation to the sol- 
dier's life, his convictions concerning war as a pathway to distinction 
were greatly modified, and that he would now by no means accept a 
commission in any war which the United States might wage, irre- 
spective of its morality. He had never, he said, while an ungodly man, 
been inclined to tempt Providence by going in advance of his duty; 
he had never seen the day when he would have been likely to volun- 
teer for a forlorn hope, although indifferent to the danger of a service 
to which he was legitimately ordered. F>ut now that he was endeavor- 
ing to live the life of faith, he would engage in no task in which he did 
not believe he should enjoy the Divine approbation ; because, with this, 
he should feel perfectly secure under the disposal of the DiA'ine Provi- 
dence ; without it, he would have no right to be courageous. If, then, his 
country were assailed in such a way as to justify an appeal to defensive 
war in God's sight, he should desire to return to military life, but, un- 
less this happened, he should continue a simple citizen. But as such 
he regarded it as every man's duty to seek the highest cultivation of 
his powers, and the widest sphere of activity within his reach; and, 



THE LITE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 17 

therefore, he desired to be transferred to the State University." — 
Dabncy's Life of Jockson. p. 69-70. 

Jackson Calm Under the Rising Cloud of War. — "A Christian 
friend, in whose society he greatly deHghted, passed a night with him 
(just before the beginning of the Civil war), and, as they discussed 
the startling news which every day brought with it, they were impelled 
to the conclusion that the madness of the Federal Government had 
made a great and disastrous war inevitable. The guest retired to 
his bed, depressed with this thought, and, in the morning, arose harass- 
ed and melancholy, but, to his surprise, Jackson met him at the morn- 
ing worship, as calm and cheerful as ever, and when he expressed 
his anxiety, replied, 'Why should the peace of a true Christian be 
disturbed by anything which man can do unto him? Has not God 
promised to make all things work together for good to those who love 
Him?"'—Dabney's Life. p. 210. 

Studying Problems of War. — General Jackson, when it became ap- 
parent that there would be war between the .States, would sit for hours 
before a blank wall, and gaze at it intently. It is believed he was then 
mapping out problems of war, and was preparing for those campaigns 
that confused his foes and added immortal lustre to his name. 

General Jackson a Debater. — "It was currently reported that just 
before the beginning of the struggle Major Jackson sat up all night 
in the hopeless endeavor to convert his father-in-law (Dr. Junkin), to 
the doctrine of States' rights." — Shepherd's Life of Roht. E. Lee, p. 69. 

How General Jackson Met the Approaching Storm of War. — On 

the eve of the Civil \\'ar. Major Jackson proposed that the Christian 
people of the land should agree to pray to a\ert hostilities, saying: — '"It 
seems to me, that if they would unite thus in prayer, war might be pre- 
vented and peace restored." To this his pastor })roniptly assented, and 
promised to do what he could to bring a])Out the concert of prayer that 
he proposed. In the meantime, he said. "Let us agree thus to pray.' And 
henceforward, when he was called on to lead the devotions of others 
one petition, ])romincntly presented and fervently pressed, was that 
God would preserve the whole land from the evils of war." — Dabney, 
Page 179-180. 

"The bursting of the storm which Jackson had so long foreseen found 
him calm, but resolved." 



18 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER FIVE. 



HOW STONEWALL JACKSON MARCHED OFF TO 
THE CIVIL WAR. 



How Jackson Started Out With His Command at the Commence- 
ment of the Civil War. — "He (General Jackson), sent a message to 
his pastor, Dr. White, requesting him to come to the barracks and 
offer a prayer with the command before its departure. All the morn- 
ing he was engaged at the Institute (The Virginia Military Institute, 
Lexington, \^a.), allowing himself only a short time to return to his 
home, about eleven o'clock, when he took a hurried breakfast, and 
completed a few necessary preparations for his journey. Then, in 
the privacy of our chamber, he took his Bible and read that beautiful 
chapter in Corinthians beginning with the sublime hope of the resur- 
rection — 'For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be 
dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, 
eternal in the heavens;' and then, kneeling down, he committed himself 
and her whom he loved to the protecting care of his Father in Heaven. 
Never was a prayer more fervent, tender and touching. His voice 
was so choked with emotion that he could scarcely utter the words, and 
one of his' most earnest petitions was that 'if consistent with His will, 
God would stTll avert the threatened danger and grant us peace !' So 
great was his desire for peace that he cherished the hope that the polit- 
ical difficulties might be adjusted without bloodshed, until he was 
convinced by stern reality that this hope was vain. * * * When Dr. 
W^hite went to the Institute to hold the short religious service which 
Major Jackson had requested, the latter told him the command would 
march precisely at one o'clock, and the minister, knowing his punctu- 
ality, made it a point to close the service at a quarter before one. 
Everything was then in readiness, and after waiting a few moments 
an officer approached Major Jackson, and said : 'Major, everything 
is now ready. May we not set out?' The only reply he made was to 
point the dial-plate of the barrack's clock, and not until the hand pointed 
to the hour of one (April 21st, 1861) was his voice heard to ring out 
the order, 'Forward, march !' "—il/;'.y. Jackso)i's Life of Jackson, pp. 
14.S-6. 



THE JJFE OF ST()NM:VV.\I,T< j XCKSoX. LIEUT.-GEN.. C. S. A. 19 

CHAPTER SIX. 
JACKSON AS A DISCIPLINARIAN. 



Jackson Prompt in Discipline — Stonewall Jackson Ready for The 
Unexpected — Jackson Required Promptness From His Subordi- 
nates — Jackson's Vigor in Enforcing an Order — Jackson Unmov- 
able by Reasons Given for Impromptitude — Jackson Suspends an 
Officer for Giving His Own Fence Rails to be Burned — Jackson 
Has an Officer Arrested for not Fighting — No Military Order Im- 
possible With Jackson of Execution — Jackson Dealing With Muti- 
neers — With Jackson Difficulties Were Merely Discipline. 

Jackson Prompt in Discipline. — The following-, by request of the 
author, was furnished by Col. D. G. Mcintosh, of Baltimore County, 
Maryland, Captain of Mcintosh's Battery, Confederate Army ; 

*T have seen Gen. Jackson a number of times, but never had any 
conversation with him. He put me under arrest once," said the Colonel 
with a cheerful smile illuminating his face. "We had come out under 
an alarm of battle, which proved false. We had to pass over a very 
rough turnpike, near Rapidan. While we were returning on rhis road, 
one of the shells in its cassion. by reason of this roughness, exploded, 
singed the wheel-horse, and nearly scared the driver out of his wits. 
Fortunately it did no other damage. In twenty minutes an officer, 
sent by Gen. Jackson, rode and said : — 'The captain of this battery is 
plhced under arrest.' I remained so until rhe next battle, a few days 
later. The arrest was right. The gunners, the sergeants, and other 
ofti^ers up to the Captain should see that their ammunition is properly 
packed so that they will not prematurely exjilodc. If we had had more 

• discipline like that which General Jackson gave me. it would have been 
better for the army. I never heard p.nything more of ihe arrest after 
the battle." 

Stonew^all Jackson Ready for the Unexpected. — On one occasion 

'General Jackson was marching his army, under his orders, twenty 

minutes at a time, with a rest of ten at the expiration of each marching 

• period. When one of the twenty-minute marches had expired. General 
A P. Hill, with himself and stafT ahead, evidently seeking a shady 

■ place for themselves, kept his division marching. General Jackson rode 

to the rear of the division, and asked "Who is in command here?" 

^General Gregg replied: — '"I am." "Then," said General Jackson, "halt 



20 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

this division." It was done. General A. P. Hill, observing that his 
command had halted without his order, came thvmdering down the 
road to learn why his division had been stopped without his authority. 
"I did it," answered General Gregg "but General Jackson told me to 
do it." General A. P. Hill drew his sword, and exclaimed: — "General 
Jackson, accept my resignation." Stonewall Jackson said : — "General 
Hill, consider yourself under arrest !" General Kill sheathed his sword 
and marched to the rear of his division. There he remained until ten 
days before the battle of Chancellorsville, when the matter was settled, 
and A. P. Hill took command of his division. General Robert E. Lee 
was the mediator between the two generals. (It has been many years 
since this incident ivas related to me. My best recollection is that my 
informant zvas Major Jedidiah Hotchkiss. C. S. A.) 

Jackson Required Promptness from His Subordinates. — "I never 
had but one conversation with General Jackson. We were on the 
Rappahannock and I was sent down from the artillery to obtain from 
him an order for ammunition. After he had given me the order, I said 
to the General, it now being near night, "T suppose to-morrow will do to 
get this?" "No, sir," he replied, "go noiv:" As the ammunition was 
down on the Rapidan, I had to ride thirty miles that night. General 
Jackson did every tiling promptly himself, and he expected his men to 
do the same." — C. A. Fonerden, of Carpenter's Battery, Stoneivall 
Brigade. 

Jackson's Vigor in Enforcing an Order. — Having issued an order 
on February 25, 1862, to prevent liquor coming into Camp, which had 
been done by means of boxes sent to soldiers by their friends, he further 
directed that "every wagon that came into Camp should be searched, 
and, if any liquor were found, it was to be spilled out, and the wagon 
and horses to be turned over to the Quartermaster." — HolcJikiss's 
Diary 

Jackson Immovable by Reasons Given for Impromptitude. — Colo- 
nel Munford, the capable commander who .succeeded Ashby at his 
death, states that he parted with General Jackson on the evening of 
June 30th, 1862, in the Peninsula Campaign. He told Colonel Munford 
to report the next morning at sunrise, ready to precede the troops. A 
most violent thunderstorm came up that night, and Colonel Munford's 
company was scattered by the blasts of the night. When the first grey 
streak appeared. Colonel Munford sent out his Adjutant and Officers 
to gather up his broken regiment ; but, at sunrise, only fifty had re- 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 21 

ported. They were a half mile from the cross-road. To Colonel 
Mnn ford's horror he found General Jackson sitting there and waiting 
for him. In Colonel Mnnford's own words — Jackson "was in a bad 
humor," and said to him : — "Colonel, my orders to you were to be here 
at sunrise." Colonel Munford said in reply that the command had no 
provisions, and the storm and the night had joined against him. Jack- 
son's reply was: — "Yes. sir; but Colonel, I ordered you to be here by 
sunrise. Move on with your regiment. If you meet the enemy drive 
in his pickets, and, if you want artillery, Colonel Crutchficld will fur- 
nish you." 

Colonel ]\Iunford started with his half hundred. As other cavalry- 
men came straggling on to join in the marching body, Jackson observed 
it, and sent two couriers to tell their commander that his men were 
straggling badly. Colonel Munford rode back and repeated his former 
story. Jackson listened, but answered, "Yes, sir; but I ordered you to 
be here at sunrise, and I have been waiting for you for a quarter of an 
hour." Colonel Munford then made the best of the situation, re-formed 
his men, drove in the Federal pickets, captured a number of wounded 
and secured a large amount of stores, and did it all so rapidly that 
tlie Federal battery, on the other side of the White Oak Swamp, could 
not fire on the Confederate Cavalrymen without endangering their own 
friends. 

Jackson rode up smiling. In about an hour he ordered Colonel 
Munford to move his regiment over the creek to capture some Fed- 
eral cannon. He rode with Colonel Munford to the Swamp, where they 
saw the bridge torn up and the timbers lying in a tangled mass. Colonel 
Munford said he did not think they could pass ; but Jackson looked at 
him, waved his hand, and said : — "Yes, Colonel, try it." He went in 
and struggled and floundered over, even l)efore Colonel Munford could 
form his men. Jackson called on him to move on the guns. Colonel 
Breckinridge went forward with what men had already crossed, and 
Colonel Munford, followed with another squadron. An infantry- 
supported to the batttery was encountered and a hitherto unseen battery 
on the right flank of the Confederates opened on them, and the little 
band of horsemen had to retreat along the bank of the swamp for a 
quarter of a mile, and then, with great difticulty. recross by a co\v])atlT. 

Jackson Suspends an Officer for Giving His Own Fence Rails to 
be Burned. — While on the march to Romney, during the winter of 
1861-2, General Jackson gave an order to burn no fence rails. During 



22 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

the bitter nights of January, 1862, the captain of a certain command 
camped on his own lands, and gave permission to his troops to burn the 
fence rails. General Jackson suspended the officer from his command 
because he had not asked permission first to give away his own goods 
and chattels to his suffering men. 

Jackson Arrests an Officer for not Fighting. — "It is said that when 
the (Confederate) officer in command (at Front Royal. May 30th, 
1862, when the town was re-captured by the Federals), reported to Gen- 
eral Jackson, in the evening, and gave an account of the re-capture of 
Front Royal, and the repulse of his own Regiment, General Jackson 
looked up, and, in his quick, nervous way, asked : — 'Colonel, how many 
men had you killed?' 'None, I am glad to say. General.' 'How many 
wounded?' 'Few, or none, sir.' 'Do you call that fighting, sir?' asked 
Jackson, and a few minutes afterward the Colonel was put under 
arrest." — Allen's Campaign, Note on page 131. 

Jackson Dealing With Mutineers. — In the Valley Campaign, on 
the way to Mt. Solon, several companies of the 27th Mrginia Regiment, 
who had volunteered for a year, asked their discharge because their 
term of service had expired. This was denied them. They thereupon 
threw to the ground their guns, and refused to serve. Colonel Grigsby 
sent to General Jackson for directions. Jackson received the explana- 
tions with the grim countenance of the warrior. "Why," he asked, 
"does Colonel Grigsby refer to me to learn how to deal with mutineers? 
He should shoot them where they stand." The remainder of the Regi- 
ment was commanded to march with wea[>ons loaded. The rebellious 
companies were tendered the alternatives of immediate death or im- 
mediate surrender. The insurgents surrendered. This was the last 
effort at organized disobedience in the Valley Army." 

No Military Orders Impossible With Jackson of Execution. — Oti 
February 11th, 1862, General Jackson wrote to Colonel Sincindiver :— 
'T regret to hear from an officer that it is impassable to execute an 
order. If your cavalry will not obey your orders, you must make them 
do it, and, if necessary, go out with them yourself. I desire you to go 
out and post your cavalry where you want them to stay, and arrest any 
man who leaves his post, and prefer charges and specifications against 
him that he may be court-martialed. It will not do to say your men can- 
not be induced to perform their duty. They must he made to do it. 
When you hear of marauding parties, send out and bring them in as 
prisoners of war." — Allen's Campaigns, pages 34-35. 



THE LlFi; OF STOXKWALU JACKSOX. I.l F.rT.-C.EN., C. S. A. 23 

Difficulties to Jackson Were Merely Discipline for Him. — "His 
(Jackson's), domestic tastes led liini, wlienever his duties confined him 
to the town (Romney), to take his meals with the family of a con- 
genial friend. To them there appeared, during these trials (those con- 
sequent upon the interference at Richmond with his plan of campaign), 
the most beautiful display of Christian temj^er. His dearest relaxations 
from the harrassing cares of his commanrl were the caresses of the 
children, and the prayers of the domestic altar. When he led in the 
latter, as he was often invited to do, it was with increasing humility and 
tenderness. A prevalent petition was that they 'would grow in gentle- 
ness :' and he never spoke of his difficulties except as a kind discipline, 
intended for his good by his Heavenly Father." — Danbey's Life, Vol. I 
p. 329. 



JKT 



24 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 



STONEWALL JACKSON IN CAMP AND IN THE FIELD. 



How and Where General Jackson Received His Soubriquet of 
"Stonewall" Jackson on the Field — Jackson Orders One of His 
Commanders to Hold His Ground With Wet Ammunition — Jack- 
son's Confidence in His Corps — Jackson's Horsemanship and Jack- 
son in a New Uniform — Jackson as a Rider — Jackson Was Not 
Much for Looks — Jackson Shares the Deprivations of War With 
His Men — Stonewall Jackson Teaches Old Sorrel Tricks — Jack- 
son's Coolness in Commanding — Jackson on the March to Hooker's 
Rear at Chancellorsville — Jackson's Orders in Battle — Jackson at 
the Battle of Kernstown — Jackson's Personal Efforts Saves the 
Day at Cedar Run — For the First Time Jackson Showed Symptoms 
of Uneasiness — Stonewall Jackson Excited — Jackson's Enthusiasm 
at the Battle of Winchester — General Jackson Stands Sentry — A 
Tableware Campaign that Captured Jackson but did not Materi- 
alize in Battle. 

How and Where General Jackson Received His Soubriquet of 
^'Stonewall." — It was at the first battle of Bull Run, fought on July 
21, 1861, that Thomas Jonathan Jackson received the name of "Stone- 
wall." General Bee's Brigade, consisting of the 7th and 8th Georgia, 
the 4th Alabama, and the 2nd Mississippi, flanked by superior numbers, 
had broken and was retreating in disorder. Their general had at- 
tempted, in vain, to stem the stampede and to retire in military align- 
ment. At this moment General Jackson, commanding the First Bri- 
gade, appeared on the field of battle. As he moved quickly to the front, 
the disorganized troops of Bee dashed past him towards the rear. At 
this moment Bee approached General Jackson at a full gallop. In 
bitterness. Bee exclaimed to Jackson : — "General, they are beating us 
back !" Jackson replied : — -"Sir, we will give them the bayonet." 

"These words," says John Esten Cooke, "seemed to act upon Bee like 
the ring of a clarion." He galloped back to his men, and. pointing with 
his sword to Jackson, shouted, "Look, there is Jackson standing like 
a stonewall ! Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Rally 
behind the Virginians !" Bee's command partially responded to his ap- 
peal, and took their position on the right, and Jackson's line pressed 
steadily forward. In a twinkling the condition of the field changed. 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN.. C. S. A. 25 

The Federal troops that were rushing on in pursuit of the fleeing 
Confederates of Bee's command, found themselves suddenly in front 
of 2.600 bayonets. Their advance was at once stopped. 

In the afternoon the decisive turn of battle came, when General 
Beauregard ordered an advance of his whole line, and Jackson com- 
manded that the bayonet be used by his Brigade, by which he pierced 
and broke the Federal centre, and the retreat of the Federal Army 
began. 

Jackson on the Field. — "Outwardly, Jackson \\-as not a Stonewall, 
for it was not in his nature to be stable and defensive, but vigorously 
active. He was an avalanche from an unexpected quarter. He was a 
thunderlx)lt from a clear sky. And yet he was in character and will 
more like a stonewall than any man I have known. 

"On the field his judgment seemed instinctive. No one of his staff 
ever knew him to change his mind. There was a short, quick utterance 
like a flash of the will from an inspired intelligence, and the command 
was imperative and final. He was remarkable as a commander for 
the care of his troops, and had daily knowledge about the work oi all 
staff departments— supply, medicine, ordnance. He knew well the art 
of marching and its importance. His ten minutes' rest in the hour was 
like the law of the Medes and Persians, and some of his generals were 
in direst trou]:)le from the neglect of it. Of such things he was care- 
ful, until there came the hour for action, and then, no matter how 
many were left behind, he must reach the point of attack with as large 
a force as possible. He must push the battle to the bitter end until 
he had reaped the fruits of victory. Over and over again he rode 
among his advancing troops, with his hand uplifted, crying 'Forward, 
men, forward, press forward'." — James Poivcr Smith, Lecture in Bos- 
tO)i, pp 14-15. 

Jackson Ordered One of His Commanders to Hold His Ground 
With Wet Ammunition. — "At Chantilly, our division commander 
sent word to him (Jackson), that he was not sure that he could hold his 
position, as his ammunition was wet. 'My compliments to General 
Hill and say that the enemy's ammunition is as wet as his, and to 
hold his ground,' was Jackson's reply." — .-lllen C. Redwood, Vol. 10, 
p. 112. Phtogh. History. 

Jackson's Confidence in His Corps. — "General Jackson would 
order some other General to hold some position at all hazards, and the 
General would rej)ly that he was afraid he could not hold it if the enemy 



26 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

should press him. Jackson would say, 'You must hold it; my men 
sometimes fail to drive the enemy, but the enemy always fail to drive 
my men'." — Casler's History, p. 232. 

Jackson's Horsemanship and Jackson in a New Uniform. — Charles 
E. Owens, captain in the Confederate Army, and a member of Ashby's 
Cavalry, furnished the author with the following data:— "I have seen 
Jackson a thousand times. He was neither a graceful nor an ungrace- 
ful rider ; but one day I did see him riding elegantly. I had often 
greeted General Jackson with 'Good morning,' and passed the usual 
friendly amenities on the weather, but this day I did not know him. 
I saw some one coming galloping through camp at a furious rate, 
mounted on a brown horse, not 'Old Sorrel,' and at first, I could not 
make him out, for this officer was dressed in a new uniform of gray, 
and wore a felt hat with a black feather in it. Then I recognized Gen- 
eral Jackson. He had discarded his old faded cap and uniform." This 
new uniform was, probably, the one presented to him by General J. E- 
B, Steuart. 

Jackson as a Rider. — Mr. George G. Higgins, who was a member 
of Captain Snowden Andrews' Battery, Confederate Army, informed 
the author: — "Stonewall Jackson was a superb rider, in or out of 
action. In battle the very spirit of battle shone in his face and ani- 
mated his whole body. His men loved him. They would go anywhere 
he ordered them, for they believed, as I have often heard them say, that 
when he took them in he could take them out. They not only were 
w'illing to do what he said, but loved to carry out his orders. No man 
ever had the love of his soldiers like Stonewall Jackson. I have seen 
him many a time. When the cheering began that indicated that General 
Jackson was about, the soldiers along the whole line, whether they saw 
him, or not, in battle as well, would cheer for him as they fought." 

Jackson "Not Much for Looks." — When General Jackson was in 
Maryland, in 1862, "a crowd gathered near his headquarters to see 
him. They expected epaulettes, gold lace, feathers, ornamented cords, 
cap, and numerous items of display. Presently General Jackson step- 
ped out of his tent alone, and told a sentinel to keep the crowd at a 
distance. 'What shabby looking chap is that ?' inquired several. 'That's 
old Stonewall,' answered one of his men. 'That Stonewall Jackson ! 
Well, I guess he's no great shakes after all,' said some of the bystand- 
ers, 'he's not much for looks anyhow'." — John W. Daniels. 



THE I IFK OF STONEWALL JACKSON. LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 27 

Stonewall Jackson Teaches "Old Sorrel" a Trick. — The autlior is 
indebted to Mr. Harry M. Tongue, of Annapolis, Md., who was a cour- 
ier for lackst)n. from February to May 2. 1863, for the following in- 
cidents and observations : 

"The Confederate soldiers would always cheer when either General 
Lee or (^.eneral Jackson appeared. The Federals, finding this out. 
would immediately shell that part of the line where the cheering was 
going. This made no difference to the Confederate soldiers, such was 
their enthusiasm for Lee and Jackson, and come what would, nothing 
could stoj) them. They could not help cheering. Stonewall Jackson, 
observing that the enemy shelled where the cheering was, taught Old 
Sorrel as .soon as she heard cheering to run as fast as she could, and I 
have seen Jack.son, as the cheering went on, take his hat off, and put 
it under his arm. while < )ld Sorrel dashed down the line. 

"Jackson was awkward in this way — he shuff'led along on foot, like a 
Professor, but. on horseback, he was a fine rider. 

"The whole time that I was with him I never saw him laugh, or 
engage in conversation with any one except General Lee. I have 
seen him talk a half hour with him. His mind was on the business of 
war. 

"T was with him when he turned Pope's flank. 1 rode a few yards 
behind him the whole night. He never said a word, except he may have 
spoken to his engineer." 

"At the second battle of Fredericksburg, General Jackson rode out 
on the field with a few couriers. He would not take a crowd with hitn 
because it attracted fire from the enemy. He took his glass and looked 
at the Federals. Then, because I was the nearest courier, he asked me 
to look and tell him what I saw. I took the glasses and said : — T see 
two batteries, three lines of battle, and a party of officers.' General 
Jackson observed : 'That's what I see'." 

"Just before he was wounded (May 2. 186.S). he said: — Tf I had 
three more hours of daylight, I would drown half of them (the Fed- 
erals) in the Rappahannock.' " 

Jackson Shares the Deprivations of War With His Men. — Gen- 
eral Jackson shared the hardships and dejM-ivations of war with his men. 
When his troops had orders to march at four in the morning, at that 
hour, mounted on his horse. General Jackson would turn out of the 
side road where they had encamped for the nighl, to lead them. Private 



28 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Richard G. Killman, of the First Maryland, C. S. A., says that once 
only he himself had mutinous thoughts. It was after days and miles 
of marching and deprivation, the privates were apportioned one small 
cake of corn bread and one piece of salt pork, each about two inches 
square. Incensed at such rations, and convinced that the officers were 
faring better than the privates, he determined to make a survey for 
himself. He made his way to the rear of General Jackson's tent, in 
which there was an opening large enough for him to see through into 
the tent, and, at that moment, the cook of the general came in and 
placed his supper on the table. Private Killman declared, if he had 
not known better, he would have made an affidavit that it was the 
identical rations themselves that had been dealt out to him and which 
lay uneaten in his quarters. Filled with indignation at himself, Pri- 
vate Killman confessed that with anathemas upon his own head and 
calling upon Heaven to visit the direst punishment upon him if ever 
he had another rebellious thought, he went back to his tent. 

Related by private Killman to Mr. P. Ukvood Porter, ivho informed 
the author of the incident. 

Jackson's Coolness in Commanding. — On August 25th, 1862, Tack- 
son was in the rear of Pope's Army at Manassas. He was awaiting the 
arrival of Longstreet through Thoroughfare Gap. His own position, 
with the whole of Pope's Army in front of him in overwhelming 
numbers, was perilous. Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, commanding a 
Brigade composed of Mrginia Regiments, had sent forward an un- 
armed vidette to watch the movements of the Federal Army, and to 
report any manoeuvring to him at once. The vidette hid himself in 
the woods. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, ''the vidette was started 
by a long line of skirmishers stepping out of the wood in his front and 
advancing. Jumping to his feet, he made for Colonel Johnson. He 
had only got a short distance when he saw their line of battle follow- 
ing. Now, that fellow just dusted (evidently he and the writer were 
one), and made his report to Colonel Johnson, who at once called the 
line to attention; the command was given, "Right face; double quick, 
march," and away we went through the woods. All of us were won- 
dering what had become of old Jack. (He had not been seen for a 
long time.) When we got through the woods, he was the first man 
we saw, and, looking beyond, we could see his command was massed 
in a large field ; arms stacked, batteries parked, and everything resting. 



THE LIFl': OF STONKWAI.L JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 29 

"Colonel Joiinson rode up to General Jackson, and made his report, 
when General Jackson turned to his staff, gave each an order, and in a 
moment the field was a perfect hubbub — men riding in all directions, 
infantry getting to arms, cannoniers to their guns and the drivers 
mounting. But you could see the master-hand now ; even while I am 
telling this you could hear the sharp command of an officer, Right face ; 
forward, march,' and a body of skirmishers marched out of that con- 
fused mass right up to old Jack, when the officer gave the command 
to 'file right,' and the next instant to deploy, and the movement was 
done in a twinkle, and forward they went to meet the enemy. General 
Jackson had waited to see this. He then turned to Colonel Johnson, 
and told him to let his men stack arms and rest, as they had been on 
duty since the day before ; he would not call them if he could do without 
them, and off' he went with the advance skirmishers." — One of Jack- 
son's Foot Cavalry, in \o\. 32, p. 82. South Hist. Mag. 

Jackson on the March to Hooker's Rear at Chancellorsville. — 

"During the winter preceding Chancellorsville. in the course of a con- 
versation at Moss Neck, he (Jackson), said; — 'We must do more than 
defeat their armies ; we must destroy them.' He went into this cam- 
paign filled with this stern purpose ; ready to stretch to the utmost 
every energy of his genius, and push to the limit also his faith in his 
men in order to destroy a great army of the enemy. J know that was 
his purpose, for, after the battle, when still well enough to talk he told 
me that he had intended, after breaking into Hooker's rear, to take 
and fortify a suitable position, cutting him off" from the river and 
so hold him, until between himself and General T-ee, the great Fed- 
eral host should be l)roken to pieces. He had no fear. It was then 
that I heard him say : — "We sometimes fail to drive them from posi- 
tions ; they always fail to drive us'." 

"Never can I forget the eagerness and intensity of Jackson on that 
march to Hooker's rear. His face was pale, his eyes flashing. Out 
from his thin, compressed lips, came the terse command: — 'Press for- 
ward, press forward.' In his eagerness, as he rode, he leaned over the 
neck of his horse, as if in that way the march might be hurried. 'See 
that the column is kept closed and that there is no straggling,' he more 
than once ordered, and 'Press on, press on,' he repeated again and 
again. Every man in the ranks knew we were engaged in some great 
flank movement, and they eagerly responded and pressed on at a 
rapid gait. Fitz Lee met us and told Jackson he could show him the 



30 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

whole of Hooker's army if he went with him to the top of a hill near 
by. They went together and Jackson carefully inspected through his 
glasses the Federal command. He was so wrapped up in his plans, 
that on his return he passed Fitz Lee without saluting or even thank- 
ing him, and when he reached the column, he ordered one aide to go 
forward and tell General Rodes. who was in the lead, to cross the Plank 
Road and go on straight to the Turnpike, and another aide to go to 
the rear of the column and see that it was kept closed up, and all 
along the line he repeatedly said: — 'Press on, press on'." 

"The fiercest energy possessed the man, and the fire of battle fell 
strong upon him. When he arrived at the Plank Road, he sent this, 
his last message, to Lee: 

" 'The enemy has made a stand at Chancellorsville. I hope as soon 
as practicable to attack. I trust that an ever kind Providence will 
bless us with success.' 

"And as this message went to Lee, there was flashing along the wires, 
giving brief joy to the Federal Capital, Hooker's Message: — 'The 
enemy must ingloriously fly, or come out from behind his defences and 
give us battle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits 
him." 

"Contrast the two, Jackson's modest, confident, hopeful relying on 
his cause and his God, Hooker's frightened, boastful, arrogant, vain- 
glorious. The two messages are characteristic of the two men — Dr. 
Hunter McGiiirc, South Hist. Mag., \o\. 25 pp 109-10-1 L 

Jackson's Orders in Battle. — "Jackson was noted for the quick- 
ness of his decisions, and his short orders on the battle field." 

"At Winchester in the "^/alley Cam.paign he said to Colonel Patton, 
who commanded a brigade: — 'The enemy will presently plant a battery 
on that hill ; when they do, vou zeize it at once ; clamp it immediately, 
sir !' 

"During one of the battles around Richmond a stafif officer galloped 
up to him and reported :— 'General Ewell says, sir. that he cannot well 
advance until that battery over there is silenced.' Turning to one of his 
staff he said : — 'Gallop as hard as you can, and tell Major Andrews 
to bring sixteen guns to bear on that battery, and silence it immedi- 
ately.' 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 31 

"Soon Andrews was in position; his guns opened, and before long 
the battery was silenced. When this was reported to Jackson, he said, 
with a quiet smile: — 'Now, tell General Fiwell to drive them'." 

"In the afternoon at Gaines' Mail, June 27, 1862, the progress 
seemed to have been as rapid as he expected, and gallant Fitz John 
Porter made a heroic defense, and Jackson exclaimed to one of his 
staff: — 'This thing has hung fire too long; go rapidly to every brigade 
commander in my corps and tell him if the enemy stands at sundown, 
he must advance his brigade regardless of others, and sweep the field 
with the bayonet'." 

Jackson received coolly Chaplain Jones' statement, on one occasion 
that he had seen the enemy. 

■■ 'Are you certain they arc the enemy?' asked Jackson. 

" 'Yes, sir, I am.' 

" 'How close did you get to them?' 

" 'I suppose about 1,000 yards. I could plainly see their blue uniforms 
and the United States flag which they carried. They shot at me, and 
cut the ear of my horse bringing me.' I expected that he would now 
send staff officers in every direction with orders to meet this new move- 
ment, but Jackson coolly replied : — 'I am very much obliged to you, sir, 
for the information you have given me, but General Trimble will at- 
tend to them. I expected this movement, and ordered Trimble posted 
there to meet it'." 

"He rode off, seemingly as unconcerned as if nothing had happened. 
Trimble did 'attend to them,' and after a severe fight drove them back." 
---Chaplain J. JVm. Jones, C. S. A., South Hist. Mag:, Vol. 35. p. 91-2. 

Jackson at the Battle of Kernstown. — This was the sole engage- 
ment in which General Jackson, during the war between the States, 
suft'ered a decided check to his aims, lost the battle, had more casualties 
and left the enemy in possession of the field of battle. He attributed 
his misfortune to the order of Gen. Garnett, who, without Jackson's 
knowledge, gave the order for the Stonewall Brigade to fall back from 
the line from which they were, to a place of greater protection, as their 
ammunition had failed them. Five distinct times Jackson led his 
troops in charges upon his gallant foes, who with double Jackson's 
numbers, fought with Ameican heroism and determination. Xight was 
now about to fall and would end the fierce terrific engagement at 
Kernstown. March 2nd, 1862. 



32 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

General Jackson was watching the battle from a position close tO' 
the Brigade of his delight and confidence. Vvithout warning, he ob- 
served to his horror the Stonewall Brigade give way. He turned Old 
Sorrel towards the command, angered, inflexible, threatening, — and 
ordered, with imperious spirit. General Garnett to hold his ground, and 
then pressed on and commanded his men to stop and rally. 

Observing a drummer in the retreat with the soldiers, he grasped 
him by the shoulders, pulled him to a rise in the ground, and com- 
manded him, in his short, rapid speech to "Beat the rally!" the drum- 
mer obeyed, and, with his hands on the scarred drummer's body, amidst 
the tempest of bullets about him, Jackson saw the broken lines were 
newly aligned, and thus by his presence and orders brought the com- 
mand into some military shape. 

The re-adjustment, however, was too late. The die of defeat had 
been cast. The alert and aggressive Federal officers had perceived im- 
mediately their opportunity. They did not delay to take advantage 
of the break in the Confederate ranks. With victorious cheers the foe 
rushed onward. They entered the breach flanked Fulkerson's right 
wing, and he was thrown backward in confusion. At that disastrous 
instant, the sounds from the artillery of Ashby announced that here, 
too, the Federals were on the vantage ground, and were thundering 
down on the Confederate right. The Confederates were entrapped. 

General Jackson would not retreat. His sternness was immovable. 
With the overwhelming numbers pushing him on both sides, he would 
not give up the fight. Under the fiercest orders and the most ardent 
appeals to his devoted men, the 5th Virginia, though with almost empty 
cartridge-boxes, re-aligned itself under the severe volleys of the Fed- 
erals, stood directly in front of the advancing foenien, and held them 
in check, without any help whatever, until the 42nd Virginia, under 
Colonel Langhorne, came up. This command had hurried up and 
had taken position on the right of the 5th. Nothing, now, not the 
almost superhuman courage of the outnumbered and valiant Confed- 
erates, could redeem the day. Jackson saw his trooj^s being surrounded, 
his centre broken, his left encompassed and his cavalry retreating. He 
was helpless to continue the struggle, but he gave no command to re- 
treat. He merely permitted the sullen withdrawal of his forces from 
the field of battle. 

Jackson did not forgive General Garnett. He preferred charges 
against him. Garnett finally left Jackson's command, though the 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 33 

charges were never pressed. Jackson's remedy f^r the lack of ammuni- 
tion for the Stonewall Brigade was, "They should have given them the 
baxonet." With the rebel yell, and the vSonthern charge, the Federal 
line was still in jeopardy. 

Jackson's Personal Efforts Saves the Day at Cedar Run. — On 

August 9th. 18()2, the battle of Cedar Run was fought. Turning the 
Confederate left flank, the Federals poured a heavy and efl^ective volley 
into Jackson's rear. 'I'lie movement was so sudden that finding them- 
.selves almost surrounded, the Confederates fell back to a new position. 
The Federals pressed forward with victorious yells, and delivering a 
deadly fire as they rushed onward. The battle seemed lost. In vain the 
Confederate officers endeavored to keep their lines solid. 

The artillery to escape capture was rushed to the rear, and as it 
passed out of sight, the Federals increased their efforts, and doubled 
their fire, pushing the fleeing Confederates with all the animation of 
certain success. 

"At this moment," says John Esten Cooke, "of disaster and impend- 
ing ruin. Jackson appeared, amid the clouds of smoke, and his voice was 
heard rising above the uproar and the thunder of the guns. The man, 
ordinarily so cool, silent and deliberate, was now mastered by the 
genius of battle. In feature, voice, and bearing, burned the gaiidium 
certam'mis — the resolve to conquer or die. Galloping to the front, 
amid the heavy fire directed upon his disordered lines, now rapidly 
giving away — with his eyes flashing, his face flushed, his voice rising 
and ringing like a clarion on every ear, he rallied the confused troops 
and brought them into line. At the same moment the old Stonewall 
Brigade and Branch's Brigade advanced at a double-quick, and shout- 
ing, 'Stonewall Jackson! Stonewall Jackson!' the men poured a galling 
fire into the Federal lines. The presence of Jackson, leading them in 
])erson, seemed to ])roduce an indcscri]>al>le influence on tlie troops, 
and. as he rode to and fro, amid the smoke, encouraging the troops, 
thev greeted him with resounding cheers. This was one of the few 
occasions when he is reported to have been mastered by excitement. 
He had forgotten apparently that he commanded the whole field, and 
imagined himself a simple colonel leading a regiment. Everywhere in 
the thickest of the fire, his form was seen and his voice heard, and his 
exertions to rally the men were crowned with success. The Federal 
advance was checked, the repulsed troops re-formed, and led once 



34 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

more into action, and with Jackson in front the troops swept forward 
and re-established their lines upon the ground upon which they had 
been driven. 

"Those who saw Jackson when he thus galloped to the front, and 
thus rallied his men in the very jaws of destruction, declare that he 
resembled the genius of battle incarnate. 

"The advance of the Federal forces were thus checked. They were 
forced to retire still more rapidly, and the Stonewall Brigade closed 
in on their right, and drove them with terrible slaughter through the 
woods." — Jackson's report. 

For the First Time Jackson Showed Symptoms of Uneasiness. — 

It was on the morning of June 27, 1862, when General Jackson was 
in the rear of General McClellan's Army, that Major Goldstorough, of 
the First Maryland Regiment, Confederate, who was there, says that 
the general "appeared for the first time to fear that the gods of battle 
had forsaken him." 

Major Goldsborough says : "As we neared the field tlie artillery 
and infantry fire increased in volume, and it was evident that the ad- 
vanced troops of Jackson were hotly engaged, as were those of Hill 
on our right. Steadily the rattle of musketry swelled as Jackson for- 
wardefd reinforcements, until it became almost deafening. But as 
hour after hour passed, and that awful fire did not recede, he began 
to show symptoms of uneasiness. Upon his success on the left de- 
pended everything. Should he fail the splendidly conceived plans of 
General Lee would fail also, and Richmond would be at the mercy 
of the invader. Was it a wonder then, that he rode nervously to and 
fro, and appeared for the first time to fear that the gods of battle 
had forsaken him? Every eye was upon the great chieftain as he 
galloped along the lines of the troops held in reserve, and the anxious 
expression upon that heretofore immovable countenance was observ- 
able to all." 

The right of General McClellan's Army was finally turned and the 
Federal troops were put to flight. 

Stonewall Jackson Excited. — "I saw General Jackson excited, I 
may say, but once. This was at the second battle of Manassas, when w^e 
were in the rear of the Federal forces, and Pope had turned on us 
his whole army. Our lines, step by step, were giving way. In the dis- 
tance, we could tell bv the dust and movement of trains that Longstreet 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEL^T.-GEN., C. S. A. 35 

was coming through Thoroughfare Gap. General Jackson rode out in 
front of our lines, and I saw him draw, as I never witnessed him 
do before, his sword, and, waving it in the air, he drew himself to 
his feet in the stirrups and said something that I was not able to hear, 
but what seemed to be from the circumstances : — 'Men, if ever you held 
vour lines, hold them now.' Longstreet finally came up and struck the 
Federal Army a heavy blow. — C. A. Foncrden, of Carpenter's Battery, 
Stonewall Brigade. 

Jackson's Enthusiasm at the Battle of Winchester. — General Jack- 
son loved the people of Winchester. It was with agony of soul that he 
left it, vowing that he would never hold another council of war, since 
the attitude of his subordinates, whom he consulted, prevented him from 
making the night attack on the Federals by which he had hoped to 
roll back the advance of the Federal Amiy upon the imperilled town. 
This was in March, 1862 ; scarce two months had passed and the enemy 
that he had been prevented by the lack of ardor of his friends from 
attacking, w^ere now fleeing for their lives before his victorious troops, 
and the town of W^inchester was delivered for the time from the hands 
of the invader. Jackson had swept down upon the advance of Banks's 
Army at Front Royal, two days before, and defeated it, when his 
enemies did not dream that he was within fifty miles of them; he 
had captured the entire vanguard of his foes ; he had chased Banks' 
fugitive army a day and a night, and now with the people of Win- 
cliester about him wild with joy at their deliverance, Jackson on the 
early morning of May 25, Sunday, 1862, saw from the hill-top on 
which he stood the 27th and 29th Pennsylvania of his foes break into 
disorder and retreat before his victorious soldiers. Then the Second 
Wisconsin turned, and. finally, the heroic 2nd Massachusetts, that 
had given valiant fight during the night against his army as it advanced 
upon Winchester, began to retire. The whole Federal Army was 
flying before his soldiers. Seeing this, Jackson, for the first time in the 
war, in the enthusiasm and expectations of the moment, rose to his 
feet in his stirrups, and drawing his sword, waved it around his head 
and shouted :— "ON TO THE POTOMAC !" 

There was, however, no force to make the order eflfective. The 
infantry were worn out by excessive marching and long fighting, 
Ashby's men had not yet come upon the field of battle, and Steuart, 
with his cavalrv, was still three miles in the rear. 



36 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

General Jackson Stands Sentry. — On the way to the first Bull Run 
battle the troops, under Jackson, marched twenty miles on the 18th 
of July, 1861, and fell exhausted on the ground and were soon all 
asleep. An officer came to the general and told him there were no 
pickets out. Jackson replied: — "Let the poor fellows sleep. I will 
guard the camp myself." So through the long, silent watches of the 
night, General Jackson stood guard over his slumbering soldiers. 

A Tableware Campaign That Captured Jackson But Did Not 
Materialize in Battle. — When General Winder was holding Fremont 
back on the morning of Sunday, June 1, 1862, near Strasburg, that 
Jackson's rear guard might pass through that town and join the main 
army, the sounds of battle were heard at Front Royal, twelve miles 
away. There were then seated around the breakfast table of Mr. Ashby 
in that place, his family. Colonel Carroll and wife, and General Dur3'ea 
and staff, of the Federal Army, and Dr. Mercer, an uncle of Mrs. Car- 
roll. During the meal conversation was lively. The steady firing of 
artillery at Cedar Creek was heard in the distance. The parties at the 
breakfast table soon rightly located the place of battle, and decided 
correctly that the forces of Jackson and Fremont were engaged in 
battle. As Colonel Carroll had orders to join his own forces, at nine 
that day, and to march to Strasburg, he explained the military condi- 
tions. 

He said that General Shields would go to Strasburg and locate him- 
self behind Jackson, who, with his advance, at this time was at Win- 
chester. As a matter of fact, Jackson with his main army was already 
through Strasburg, having arrived there the night before on a wonder- 
ful forced march in which some of his troops on that day covered, on 
foot. 36 miles. Shields, continued Colonel Carroll, had only 12 miles to 
march, while Jackson had 19. and with an army greatly divided. The 
artillery firing, he vouchs a Fed to say, with confidence born of faith in, 
and lack of information of, the true situation, was betweea the cavalry 
of Jackson and the advance of Fremont, whom the Confederates were 
trying to prevent reaching the Valley turnpike. He observed with 
harshness and pomposity, that Fremont and Shields v;ould combine by 
noon, and thus the Confederates would be cut off. His words were ex- 
plained by a diagram of the tableware before him. Facing Mrs. Ashby, 
he said : 

"This means, Mrs. Ashby, that before midday we will have Jackson 
bagged, and the backbone of the Confederacy will be broken." 



THE IJFE OK STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. '^7 

This was too much for the Southern heart to stand. The idea of 
Jackson being captured was unbearable. Mrs. Ashby's eyes filled with 
tears and she desired to be excused and left the table. General Carroll, 
till the suggestion of General Duryea that he had hurt Mrs. Ashby's 
feelings, offered an apology to her husband. 

Soon after Colonel Carroll, afterward General Carroll, and General 
Duryea mounted their horses and left for their respective commands. 

A few days after the Battle of Port Royal, General Carroll, the 
brave, brusque and boastful, but good-hearted seer, who had prophe- 
sied to Mrs. Ashby the overthrow of Jackson, returned from the front 
and passed near that lady's house. He was worn out. His clothes 
were tattered and soiled, and his high spirit had fallen. In his dis- 
tressed state he had not the heart to come into the home of the woman 
he had aggrieved nor to face his sorrowful wife, though less than a 
quarter of a mile from Mrs. Ashby's house. He had, however, the 
splendid manliness and gallant courtesy in all his discomfiture to make 
amends for his boastful remark that had wounded Mrs. Ashby's feel- 
ings while he was at her table. He sent this generous dual message 
to the two ladies — his wife and the mistress of the house : "Tell Mrs. 
Carroll to join me in Washington. Tell Mrs. Ashby that old Jackson 
eave us hell." 



il^ 



38 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER EIGHT. 



JACKSON WAS ALWAYS IN FAVOR OF THE SOUTH 
STRIKING VIGOROUS BLOWS. 



General Jackson Wanted to Strike at Once After the Battles of 
the Peninsula — Jackson Groaned Aloud When Lee Determined to 
Postpone an Attack — Jackson's Opinion of What the Campaign 
of the Winter of 1862 Should Be — General Jackson Was Always 
of Aggressive Purpose — Jackson's Only Council of War. 

General Jackson Wanted to Strike at Once After the Battles of 
the Peninsula. — After the battles of the Peninsula General Jackson 
wanted the Confederate Army to strike a decisive return blow. He 
argued that McClellan's Anny was disorganized and incapable of active 
operations until it had had a reorganization. It was the only w^ay, 
he argued, to bring the North to its senses. Before even the Con- 
federate forces had returned to Richmond, General Jackson laid 
his views before Mr. Boteler, the member of Congress from the 
Richmond district. Mr. Boteler asked : "Why do you not urge 
your views on General Lee?" "I have done so," replied Jackson." 
"And what does he say to them?" "He says nothing," was the 
replv ; "but do not understand me to complain of this silence ; it 
is proper that General Lee should observe it. He is wise and pru- 
dent. He feels that he bears a fearful responsibility, and he is 
right in declining a hasty expression of his purpose to a subordi- 
nate like me." — Dabney, YoX. ii, pp. 230-1. 

The Gettysburg Campaign was Jackson's proposition in the 
abstract ; but it was executed a year late, when there was no 
Jackson there to act his part in making the movement a success. 
In the memorable quarrel between the Confederate officers on the 
night of July 3rd, about taking possession of Cemetery Ridge, 
Major Henry Kyd Douglas, formerly of Jackson's staff, in his 
indignation at General Ewell's refusal to hold the hill, exclaimed 
that "Cieneral Lee had forgotten that General Jackson is dead !" 

The decision of the Confederate authorities not to undertake a 
campaign immediately after the battles of the Peninsula gave Gen- 
eral Jackson great pain. 



THE UFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, I.IKUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 39 

Jackson Groaned Aloud, — On Auj^ust 17. 1862, near Clark's 
JMountain, Va., not tar from Brandy Station, where there was a 
large magazine of Federal supplies, when there was every prospect 
of making a successful attack; on Pope, General Lee determined to 
postpone what seemed to him, at that time, a hazardous under- 
taking. Jackson, it has transpired, groaned outright at the deci- 
sion, and with such emphasis of meaning that Longstreet called 
the attention of the Confederate Commander-in-Chief to [ackson's 
open disrc'^pect. 

Jackson's Opinion of What the Campaign of the Winter of 1862 
Should Be. — When General Jackson had been given the command of 
the Shenandoah Valley, in the fall of 1861, he sought an interview 
with General G. W. Smith, stating that he desired to confer with 
him on an important subject. General Smith was ill, but received 
General Jackson with great courtesy and listened to his statement. 
General Jackson, seated on the ground near the cot of the sick 
officer, then gave in detail his views, saying that McClellan with 
his new recruits would not attack the Confederates, and if the 
South did not make an aggressive movement at once, the Federal 
Army, with its greatly superior forces, would be in better condi- 
tion than the Confederate. He urged an invasion of the North, to 
take possession of Baltimore, cut off travel to the Federal capital, 
defeat McClellan in the open field, destroy railroad lines, shut up 
manufactories, hinder commerce, and strike at the lines of com- 
munication as far as Lake Erie and Pittsburg, and prosecute unre- 
lenting warfare on the industries of the North, and thus show the 
Northern people what it would cost to keep the South under Fed- 
eral authority. 

General Jackson desired General Smith tc urge upon Generals 
Beauregard and Johnston to take this step. General Smith assured 
General Jackson that his opinion would have no weight. Jackson 
was urgent and said he believed that General Smith agreed with 
him Then General Smith told Jackson that this plan had already 
been discussed by President Davis and Generals Johnston and Beau- 
regard, and General Smith told him to what opinion they had come. 

Jackson rose, shook hands, and said. "I am sorry, very sorry." 
and left. 



40 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

General Jackson Was Always of Aggressive Purpose.— In the 

Spring of 1862, wlien the affairs of the South were very forlorn, 
when their Atlantic ports were beginning to drop, one by one, into 
the meshes of the Federal net cast, about them, and when their 
Western armies were retreating before the victorious foe, General 
Jackson, on March 7th. wrote to General Johnston: 

"And now. General, that Hill has fallen back, can you not send 
him over here? (Jackson w-as then in the Shenandoah Valley.) I 
greatly need such an officer ; one who can be sent off. as occasion 
may offer against an exposed detachment of the enemy for the 
purpose of capturing it. I believe that if you can spare Hill and 
let him move here at once, you will never have occasion to regret 
it. The very idea of reinforcements coming to Winchester would, 
I think, be a damper to the enemy, in addition to the fine effect it 
would produce on our own troops, already in fine spirits. But if 
you cannot spare Hill, can you not send me some other troops? If 
we cannot be successful in defeating the enemy should he advance, 
a kind Providence may enable us to inflict a terrible wound and 
effect a safe retreat in the event of having to fall back. I will keep 
myself on the alert with respect to communications between us, so 
as to be able to join you at the earliest possible moment, if such a 
movement becomes necessary." — 1 O. /?.. Vol. 5, p. 1094. 

The military sense of the Confederate authorities, always too dull 
to comprehend Jackson's greatness while he lived, failed also to 
take full advantage of his phenomenal talents while he could use 
them, and did not send him reinforcements until he had Avon the 
field at McDowell. 

Jackson's Only Council of War. — There has been left to us a most 
graphic account of the effect of the abandonment of Winchester, 
Va., in the Spring of 1862 by Stonewall Jackson. It was forced 
upon him. not so much by General Banks, of the Union Army, as 
it was by the opposition of his own official family to the plans 
their resourceful commander had conceived to defend the town. 
On March 11th. the night of the retreat. General Jackson unbos- 
omed himself to his friend, the Rev. James P. Graham, at whose 
house he had been a guest. This gentleman states that : 

"At dinner we thought it doubtful if w^e would see the General 
(Jackson) again; but he came to supper, and, to our surprise, all 



THE LIFE OF STONEVVALI, JACKSON, I.IEUT.-GEN'., C. S. A. 41 

aglow with pleasant excitement, because of the splendid behavior 
of his troops and their eagerness to meet the enemy, who had 
been seen; but, without offering battle, had gone into camp at 
Washington Springs. Some ladies had come in and were in the 
depths of gloom. Ijecause, as they understood, the army was to 
leave us that night. To this view the General gave no assent ; but, 
as if to dispel it, showed an unusual cheerfulness. After our evening 
worship, which he conducted in his usual impressive and delightful 
way. he still sat with us, manifesting no hurry to leave, and by the 
tone of his conversation trying to direct the minds of all from the 
gloom they were in. When he did go, in answer to some tears 
which he probably saw. he said to us, who thought we were bidding 
him 'Good-bye, ' 'Oh. I'll see you again,' and then suddenly, as if 
not meaning to say so much, he added: 'I don't expect to leave.' 
Returning, however, within an hour, and finding us out, he de- 
spatched a servant after us with a message that he wanted to see 
me at once at his ofifice. Hurrying there, I found him walking the 
floor under more excitement than I had ever seen him exhibit 
before. He had undergone in the brief space of time a surprising 
change. His countenance betrayed deep dejection, and his spirit 
was burdened with an inexpressible weight of sadness. At tnrst 
he did not seem to know what to say, but, collecting himself at 
length, he said he did not mean to deceive us by giving a wrong 
impression, but that he had been made to change his plans. He 
constantly expressed the grief that he had experienced in giving 
up Winchester without striking a blow for its liberty. \\'ith a 
slow and desperate earnestness he said: 'Let me think — can I yet 
carry my plan into execution?' As he spoke this question to him- 
self, he seized the hilt of his sword, and a strange, fierce light lit 
his wonderful eyes. The next instant his head fell and his hand 
relaxed its grasp on his sword, and he exclaimed : 'No, I may not 
do it ; it may cost the lives of too many of my brave men. I must 
retreat and wait for a better time.' " 

The Council of War that Jackson had called with his officers 
was the cause of his change of plans. He had proposed a night 
attack on the foe and they had all disagreed with his plans. He 
did not feel at liberty to act without their full concurrence and in 
the face of their open objections. 



42 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Later in the night the Confederate forces retreated from Win- 
chester. Hunter McGuire, his friend and medical director, rode 
off with General Jackson, and says, "as they reached a point over- 
looking Winchester, they both turned back to look at the town 
left to the mercy of the Federals. I think." continued Dr. Mc- 
Guire. "that a man may sometimes yield to overwhelming emo- 
tions. I was utterly overcome by the fact that I was leaving all 
that I held dear on earth ; but my emotion was arrested by one 
look at Jackson. His face was fairly blazing with the fire of wrath 
that was burning in him. Presently he cried out in a tone almost 
savage : 'That is the last council of war I will ever hold.' And 
it was." 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 43 

CHAPTER NINE. 



FIRST SIGHTS OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 



The First Time Colonel George H. MofFatt Met Jackson — Dr. Mc- 
Guire's First Sight of Jackson — General Dick Taylor's First Sight 
of Jackson — Private Higgins' First Glimpse of Jackson — First Im- 
pressions of General Jackson Formed by His Second Wife, Miss 
Anna Morrison — The Appeau-ance of Stonewall Jackson to Privates 
Robert H. Welch, Daniel Duvall and James S. Owens — First Con- 
tact With Jackson by Lieutenant A. D. Warwick — Jackson Seen 
First at Coal Harbor by John Esten Cooke — First View of Jack- 
son by an English Captain — First Sight of Jackson at Fredericks- 
burg by a Confederate Artillerist — General Bradley T. Johnson's 
First Interview With Jackson — An Arrival at West Point — Orderly 
John F. Hiskey's Only Meeting With Jackson — Captain McHenry 
Howard's First Sight of Jackson. 

"The First Time I Met Him."— "I shall never forget the first time 
I met him ( Jackson). At V. M. I. as a boy I had heard of his 
struggles as a cadet at West Point and his services with General Scott 
in Mexico. In imagination I had created an ideal which made my 
first meeting with him a keen disappomtment. Instead of the hand- 
some, polished gentleman I had pictured, I found him awkward in 
appearance, severely plain in dress, and stiff and constrained in bear- 
ing, but when he began to talk my disappointment passed away. His 
voice was soft, musical and singularly expressive, while in conversa- 
tion his eyes of gray would light up in a way that showed through 
the man's nature ran a vein of sentiment tender as that of a woman's. 
Listening to his terse, well-rounded sentences, always instructive and 
full of meaning, boy that I was, I felt that he possessed power, which, 
in stirring times, would make him a leader among his fellows. When 
in later years I have seen his appearance on the battle-field give courage 
to veterans who had faced death in a dozen forms, I knew that my con- 
viction was not a mistaken one." — Colonel George H. Moffaff. South. 
Hist. Mag., Vol. 22. p. 161. 

Dr. McGuire's First Sight of Jackson. — Dr. Hunter McGuire, Jack- 
son's surgeon-general, gave a correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch 



44 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTE^ OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

an account of the first time he saw General Jackson, which description 
was published in that journal on July 19, 1891. Dr. McGuire said: 

"I went to Harper's Ferry as a member of Co — , Second Virginia 
Regiment, and soon after, for the first time in my life, saw Jackson. 
At that time he was a colonel. He was then commanding the array 
at Harper's Ferry, which was known as the Army of the Shenandoah. 
Soon after reaching Harper's Ferry I was commissioned by Governer 
Letcher, who then commanded the Virginia forces, as medical director 
of that army. \\'hen I reported to General Jackson for duty he looked 
at me a long time without speaking a word, and presently said : 'Go 
back to your quarters and wait there until you hear from me.' 

"I went back to my quarters and didn't hear from him for a week, 
when one evening I was announced at dress parade as medical director 
of the army. 

"Some months afterwards, when I asked the General the cause of the 
delay, he said that I looked so young that he had sent to Richmond 
to see if there wasn't some mistake." • 

General Dick Taylor's First Sight of Jackson. — General Jackson's 
meagre Army now received a splendid addition--both in numbers and 
morale. On the 21st of May, 1862, there arrived in the \'alley four 
regiments and one battalion, from I,ouisiana, under General Dick 
Taylor, to join Jackson. The battalion was Wheat's Louisiana Tigers. 
His force was 3,000 strong, "neat in fresh clothing of grey with white 
gaiters, bands playing at the head of their regiment — not a straggler, 
but every man in his place, stepping jauntily as if in parade, though 
it had marched twenty miles or more — in open column, with the rays 
of the declining sun flaming on polished bayonets, the brigade moved 
down the hard pike, and wheeled on to their camping ground. Jackson's 
men, by thousands, had gathered on either side of the road (o see us 
pass. 

"After attending to necessary camp details, I sought Jackson, whom 
I had never met. The mounted officer who had been sent on in 
advance pointed out a figure perched on the topmost rail of a fence 
overlooking the road and field, and said it was Jackson. Approaching, 
I saluted and declared my name and rank, then waited for a response. 
Before this came I had time to see a pair of cavalry boots covering 
feet of gigantic size, a mangy cap with visor drawn low, a heavy, dark 
beard of weary eyes, eyes that I afterwards saw filled with intense. 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALIv JACKSON, MEt'T.-GEN., C. S. A. 45 

but never brilliant light. A low, gentle voice inquired the road and 
distance marched that day. 'Keezleton road., six and twenty miles.' 
'You seem to have no stragglers.' 'Never allow straggling.' 'You 
must teach my people, they straggle badly.' A bow in reply. Just 
then my Creoles started their band for a waltz. After a contemplative 
suck at a lemon. 'Thoughtless fellows for serious work-,' came forth. 
I expressed the hope that the work would not be less well done because 
of the gaiety. A return to the lemon gave me the opportunity to 
retire." — General Taylor. 

First Glimpse of Jackson on the Peninsula. — Mr. George G. Hig- 
gins, private in the Confederate Artillery, told the author that he saw 
Jackson for the first time on the Peninsula, on horseback, leading his 
forces into battle. "He looked elegant." 

First Impression of General Jackson Formed by His Second Wife, 
Miss Anna Morrison. — General Jackson met his second wife. Miss 
Anna Morrison, before he had been first married. This meeting was 
in Lexington, Ya., where Miss Morrison was on a visit. She gives 
this description of him : 

"My first impression was that he was more soldierly-looking than 
anyone else, his erectness and military dress being quite striking; but, 
upon engaging in conversation, his open, animated countenance, and 
his complexion, tinged with the ruddy glow of health, were still more 
pleasing. * * * fjjg head w^as a splendid one, large and finely 
formed, and covered with soft dark brown hair, which, if allowed to 
grow to any length, curled ; but he had a horror of long hair for a 
man, and clung to the conventional style, a la militaire, of wearing 
very close-cut hair and short side-whiskers. After he was persuaded 
to turn out a full beard it was much more becoming to him, his beard 
being a heavy and handsome brown, a shade lighter than his hair. His 
forehead was noble and expansive, and always fair from its protection 
by a military cap. His eyes were blue-gray in color, large and well- 
formed, capable of wonderful changes in varying emotions. His nose 
was straight and finely chiseled, his mouth small and his face oval. 
His profile was very fine. All his features were regular and symmet- 
rical, and he was at all times manly and noble-looking, and, when in 
robust health, he was a handsome man. 

"His manners were rather stiff, but they had a certain dignity which 
showed that he was not an ordinary man." — Mis. Jaek.wji's Memoirs 
of Stonewall Jackson, p. 96. 



46 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES, OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Stonewall Jackson's Appearance. — "I never saw Jackson but once. 
He was on horseback. He was neither striking nor awkward in his 
appearance." — Private Robert H. Welch, First Md. Regt., C. S. Army. 

"I was at Winchester, Mrginia, one day, at the railroad station, 
where great numbers of cattle were constantly brought. The day 
was a cool October one and it was raining. I saw a man on horse- 
back, covered with a great coat, and trying to protect himself by this 
coat from the rain. A number of soldiers were around him. I took 
him to be a cattle dealer. Presently this man with the overcoat on rode 
off and all the soldiers followed after him. I was then told that the 
one leading the soldiers was Stonewall Jackson." — Private Daniel 
Duvall, C. S. Army. 

"I have seen General Jackson bowing to the soldiers who were 
cheering him. You could hear, as he came along, away down the line 
the cheering, and it gradually approached you with a great swell as 
Jackson rode by. I have heard the soldiers say as they heard the 
cheers : 'Here comes Jackson, or they have started a rabbit.' He 
would take off his hat and acknowledge the cheers with a salute, 
though he did not like to be cheered. Sometimes he would hold his 
cap in his hand while the cheering was in progress as he rode by. He 
was most graceful in this movement, and gracious in his manner." — • 
Private James W. Owens, Confederate Artillery. 

First Glimpse of Jackson. — "I had never seen General Jackson, 
though we had come down the Valley with him. I at once turned my 
picket (a Federal that had been recently captured) to the next com- 
mand and hurried to my first sight of the general commanding, T. J. 
Jackson. I had not very far to go, as Jackson always kept well up to 
the front. I found the different commands all awake, having been 
aroused by my first courier sent back. John T. Smith, with the 
prisoner, had no difficulty in finding the General's headquarters, under 
a tree on top of a high hill. I rode up, saluted, and asked was this 
General Jackson. On receiving an affirmative reply, I told him I was 
the officer-in-charge of the picket at Halltown ; had received orders 
from him to report at once. His first question was : 'What is your 
rank?' (I had no marks on me, in fact, had no coat on.) My reply 
was: 'First Lieutenant, Company B, 2nd Virginia Cavalr}^' 'How 
many men have you in picket with you?' 'Thirty,' I replied. 'Are 
you acquainted with the country?' 'Never was here until last night,' 
was my reply. He expressed no surprise at there being no one on 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAIJ^ JACKSON, IJEUT.-C.EN., C. S. A. 47 

duty that night on picket before I came. After a moment or two he 
told me to go back to Halltown, to take a man with me, and make a 
reconnoisance to the left of the Federal picket, going through a farm 
road up a rather steep hill, (this hill was out of the view of the Federal 
l)icket at the railroad crossing), not to threaten the picket, but watch 
closely, and to return to him and report what I saw." * * + 

"We were almost in the rear of the Federal picket. * * * j j^m-, 
ried to General Jackson to report, found him in the same place. The 
infantry troops were called to attention, and forming in column on the 
pike, the artillery all hitched up and the men at the guns ready to 
move at a moment's notice ; I saw we were on the eve of something 
very important. I hastened on to General Jackson and made my 
report of the situation as I saw it. He listened very attentively. The 
first question he asked in regard to the farm road was, 'Could you get 
artillery up it?' 'Oh, yes,' I answered, 'easily.' 'Could ym get it 
back?' was the next question. 'Certainly,' I replied, 'easy enough.' 
'But if you were in a great hurry, could you do it so easily?' I told 
him I did not know so well about that. He then asked me how many 
guns I saw in the fortifications. On my reply to him — for I had 
counted them — he asked me how did I "know they were real cannon or 
'shams.' I told him I could not be sure of that, but they looked exactly 
like real ones. It struck me that he was examining me as much to 
see if I had really been where he sent me. as to determine how far 
he could use me in the future, for General Jackson knew all that 
country thoroughly. After I was through with my report, almost 
immediately, he said. 'We will not go that way,' meaning, of course, up 
the hill road. 

"He then told me to go back to my picket, form my men in columns 
of fours, and drive the Federal picket in. 'I will support you.' I re- 
turned immediately to Halltown, finding the troops all on the pike in 
the same direction. T moved my reserve up to where my one man 
was on duty facing the Federal picket, he joining up, and without 
more ado charged the picket. He fired his carbine and fled for his 
reserves. We followed him so closely that we did not give the reserves 
time to form, and scattered them in all directions in the woods, some 
leaving their horses and arms in and around the stone schoolhouse. 
We gathered up the arms and accoutrements, etc. I halted to con- 
sider what next. I had done v/hat General Jackson ordered, driven 



48 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

the picket to reserve, and also driven off and scattered the 'reserve/ 
breaking up the station, capturing horses and arms. 

"I wanted to hear of our support, when I caught the welcome sound 
of tramp, tramp, tramp, which I knew was infantry, and soon old 
Stonewall, at the head of his old brigade, came up on cjiiick time. I 
reported to the General what I had done and showed the result to him. 
His only reply was, 'I wish you and your men to stay with me as cour- 
iers, and assigned me with four men to go with Colonel Baylor, com- 
manding the Stonewall Brigade, who was to make the advance on the 
works. 

"We advanced through the woods to the top of the same ridge I 
had been on in the morning, but further to our right, and came in full 
view of the heights, threw our troops in line of battle, v/ith skirmishers 
out well to the front, and reported to Stonewall (who was back hurry- 
ing up our troops) that we were ready to advance. The order came, 
'Advance.' Colonel Baylor gave the order, 'Forward !' The skir- 
mishers moved across the field, the line of battle following. The enemy 
were not yet seen, but we expected to meet them in the next field. 
Not a shot was fired. Just as our skirmishers got over the fence, and, 
as we with the line of battle got to the fence, here came a courier to 
Colonel Baylor to halt. There we stood, possibly fifteen minutes, when 
another courier came from Jackson ordering the line of battle to fall 
back to the ridge on which we had first formed, and the skirmishers 
fell back over the fence. We remained during most of the day and 
built fires as if we were going into camp. That night the Army was 
in full motion up the Valley." — A. D. JVancick, 1st Lieut., 2nd Va. 
Kegt., S. Hist. Mag., Vol. 25, pp. 344-5-6-7. 

Lieutenant Warwick had been stationed near Halltown by Colonel 
Munford of the cavalry, during the night of May 29th, close to the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to establish a picket. It was the next 
day, May 30th, that he had the interview with Jackson and received 
orders from him. Lieutenant Warwick rejoined his regiment at 
Strasburg, which Jackson passed through between Shields and Fremont 
•on Saturday, May 31st. 

A First Sight of Jackson. — "The present writer (John Esten 
CoOke) first saw General Jackson on the field of Cold Harbor, and it 
seemed hard to realize that the plainly dressed, awkward-looking person 
on the giant sorrel horse, with the faded cap, and the abstracted air; was 



THE LIFE OF STOXEWAIJ, J ACKSOX , LIEUT. -vIEN'., C. S. A. 49 

the soldier who liad foiled ever\- adversary, and won at Port Republic 
those laurels which time cannot wither." — Cooke, pp. 197-8. 

First View of Jackson by an English Captain. — An English cap- 
tain visited (icneral Jackson while he was at Moss Neck. The oflicer 
says that the General rose when he appeared and greeted him cordially. 
He found Jackson to be tall, handsome and thin, but strongly built. 
His hair and beard were brown. His mouth expressed great deter- 
mination. His lips were thin and close together. His eyes were dark 
blue and had a strong glance. At the dinner Jackson said grace in a 
pious and unostentatious manner that made no little impression on the 
guest. When the Englishman went to the General's tent to give him 
"Good-bye," he found Jackson trying to dry out his guest's overcoat. 

First Sight of Jackson at Fredericksburg, October 11, 1862. — A 

Confederate artillerist describes General Jackson as he first caught 
sight of him at Fredericksburg, October 11, 1862: 

"A general officer, mounted upon a superb bay horse, and followed 
by a single courier, rode up through our guns. Looking neither to 
the right nor the left, he rode straight to the front, halted, and seemed 
gazing intently on the enemy's line of battle. The outfit before me, 
from top to toe. cap, coat, top-boots, horse and furniture, were all of 
the new order of things. But there was something about the man that 
did not look so new after all. He appeared to be an old-time friend 
of all the turmoil around him. As he had done us the honor to make 
an afternoon call on the artillery, I thought it becoming in someone to 
say something on the occasion. No one did, however, so, although a 
somewhat bashful and weak-kneed youngster, I plucked up courage 
enough to venture to remark that those big guns had been knocking 
us about pretty considerably during tlie day. He quickly turned his 
head, and I knew in an instant who it was before me. The clear-cut, 
chiselled features; the thin, compressed and determined lips; the calm, 
steadfast eye ; the countenance to command respect, and, in time of 
war, to give the soldier that confidence he so much craves from a 
superior officer, were all there. He turned his head quickly, and 
lo<:)king me all over, rode up the line, and was away as quickly and 
silently as he came, his little courier hard upon his heels; and this 
was my first sight of Stonewall Jacksc^n." 

General Bradley T. Johnson's First Interview With Jackson. — 

General Bradlev T. Johnson, of Marvland. tells of his first interview 



50 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

with Jackson in May, 1861, at Harper's Ferry. He had come down from 
Frederick, Md., to offer his services and a company of soldiers that he 
had to join the Confederacy. He met first Colonel Agnus McDonald, 
who took him to see the Colonel Jackson. After a close examination 
as to the movements of the Federal Forces at Chambcrsbiirg, Pa., about 
forty miles distant, he questioned him as to the availability of estab- 
lishing a-farmhouse-to-farmhouse chain of communication, from 
Chambersburg to Frederick, and, from thence word could be passed to 
the Confederates as to the movements of the Union forces. The con- 
versation lasted about an hour. Colonel Jackson listened but never 
broke the silence he maintained throughout the conversation. 

An Arrival at West Point. — In the year 18-4-2. a youth at the age of 
eighteen years arrived at West Point. There was the air of a man from 
the rural districts about him that attracted the attention of two of 
the cadets. The newcomer was dressed in home-spun and carried on 
his arm a pair of saddle-bags. One asked the other : — -"Who is that 
gawk?" The second cadet replied: — ''Pll wager that that gazvk makes 
a success of it here." The first speaker was A. P. Hill and the second 
J. E. B. Stewart. The country lad was Stonewall Jackson. — This 
anecdote zvas handed dozvn from West Point through the zvell-known 
ministerial Kinsotring family, and was given to the author by a mem- 
ber of it. 

Orderly John F. Hiskey*s First Sight of General Jackson. — This 
incident was given to the author of this volume by John F. Hiskey, of 
Hyattsville, Md., on November 30, 1919 — 

"About the first of November, 1862, Company B, Captain George M. 
Emack, commanding, of the First Maryland Regiment, C. S. Cavalry, 
was picketing on the 'North West Grade,' a macadamized pike con- 
necting Winchester and the Shenandoah Valley with Moorefield, 
Romney, and probably Cumberland. About 20 members of Company 
B, under Lieutenant Edward McKnew, had returned from an un- 
successful attempt to capture a notorious spy and deserter from a 
Virginia Regiment. Our orders were not to injure him, otherwise 
he would have been shot, for he passed on the opposite side of a fence 
from me and not five feet distant. His escape and our location was 
communicated to General Averill in command at Romney, who sent a 
large body of Cavalry in our pursuit and with an effort to cut us 
off from our picket post ; but our sagacious Lieutenant foiled the intent, 



THIC I.IKE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN.. C. S. A. 51 

and extricated our little hand of 20, and we reached our post without 
exchanging a shot. 

"The next night our picket post was changed and tive or six of our 
company were taken prisoners, just about daylight. Captain Emack, 
feeling that his company was in imminent danger of being annihilated, 
ordered me to go to Winchester, about 15 miles away, and report oc- 
currences and conditions to General Jackson, who was holding Win- 
chester after the return of the Confederate i\.rmy to the West bank 
after the Antietam Campaign. 

"When about two miles from Winchester, after a very rapid ride, I 
met an officer, riding a sorrel horse, and also riding fast. I saluted 
him, and was passing, when he asked me where I was going. Upon tell- 
ing him I was seeking General Jackson, at Winchester, he informed me 
that Jackson's Army had crossed the Ridge at Snicker's Gap, and would 
join General Lee's Army, and, further, that the Federal forces had 
entered Winchester, and that I should turn back, and ride with him. I 
narrated the episode of the night previous. He listened very attentive- 
ly, and asked me many questions as to Captain Emack's experience as 
an officer, the number of men in the company. He asked my name, 
where I was from. He said he had heard of my father, and had used his 
book, 'Hiskey's Constitution of the United States.' This officer took a 
decided fancy for my mount, requested me to gallop ahead. He compli- 
mented me on my riding, and then suggested that we speed on, as the 
enemy would send out scouting parties in all directions. I expressed 
apprehension for Captain Emack's safety, and bade him good day. But 
he said : — 'I think it best that we both gallop along. I will give you 
orders for Captain Emack, when we separate a little further up the 
road.' We galloped along for about thirty minutes, when he reined 
up and said : — 'Tell Captain Emack to proceed immediately to Stras- 
burg, and join Major Ridgely Brown and look out for the road at the 
foot of the mountain leading from Capon Springs, as by that road the 
Captain could be intercepted.' He also said : — 'I will give Major Brown 
commanding the Maryland Cavalry, at Strasburg, more definite instruc- 
tions.' I said, 'Sir, from whom shall I tell Captain Emack, I've re- 
ceived these orders?' ''I'ell him your orders are from General Jack- 
son ; good day,' he spurred his horse into a lively gallop, on a road 
leading towards Strasburg, and I following the North West grade to 
join my company. 



52 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"During my journey with this officer, I saw no insignia of rank or 
any indication of rank, save an officer's higli crown cap, fastened down 
to the visor in front. As soon as he said he was General Jackson, I 
immediately recognized him from pictures I had seen of him in Rich- 
mond. 

"I narrated the above meeting to his widow, Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, 
at a reception tendered her by the Stonewall Jackson Chapter. United 
Daughters of the Confederacy, in Washington, some few years ago. 
'Oh,' she said, 'that surely was my husband. That was just his way'." 

Captain McHenry Howard's First Sight of Jackson. — McHeniy 
Howard, of Jackson's staff, saw General Jackson for the first time on 
April v3, 1862, and gives a description of his unique compared to 
others that have been made of him. He states that Jackson was above 
the usual height. His beard was thick and very brown. He was strongly 
and compactly knit. His eyes were steel blue. His hair was dark 
brown. His hair and beard were wavy. His whiskers were thick 
over the lower part of his face. The forehead was broad and 
white. His speech was brief, his manners courteous, and a deafness 
in one ear muffled sounds to him. His tones were generally distinct, 
but sometimes his words muffled. He seemed generally to be absorbed 
in his own thoughts, and seldom spoke to others imless he was himself 
addressed. His mouth was firm, his nose well-shapen, but not un- 
pleasantly large. He had an unusual fullness of temples. Jackson 
had on at this time a blue uniform, understood to have been the one 
he wore when Major at the Virginia Military Institute when he was Si 
Professor there. He wore high boots and had on a small, round top 
cap, that fell over the front and quite covered his eyes. The cap was 
high- 
Senator John T. Bond's First Meeting With Stonewall Jackson. — 
In Annapolis, in Maryland, on Marcli 31, 1920, Ex-Senator John T. 
Bond, of the Maryland Senate, gave the author of this volume the 
main facts of this statement. He said : 

"I saw Stonewall Jackson first in Richmond, in April. 1861. Several 
citizens of Calvert County, Maryland, one of them being myself, had 
gone to Richmond, Mrginia, to join the Confederate Army. vStonewall 
Jackson was then a Professor in the Mrginia Military Institute, and 
he would come down to Richmond to drill us. We were then not 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAIX JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 53 

armed, and drilled witli wooden guns. Jackson did not make a favor- 
able impression upon me by his appearance. 

''The next time I saw General Jackson was at Winchester in the 
fall of 1861, when Colonel Bradley T. Johnson was organizing the First 
Maryland Confederate Regiment. Colonel Ilerbert's Company, and 
ours. Captain Billy Murray's, were among the companies that joined 
this regiment there. 

"I served all through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign tuidcr Jack- 
son. As we approached Front Royal, Virginia, on May 23, 1862, 
Jackson made a speech to the regiment, the First Maryland Confed- 
erate. He said : 

'' 'Gentlemen, I have halted the whole army that you might come to 
the front. The First Maryland Federal Regiment is below— (that is 
at Front Royal). I want you to give them a hearty reception.' 

"The men cheered." 

In the battle that followed, the Marylanders and Louisianians, 
Poague and Carpenter's batteries, and the Maryland and Virginia 
Cavalry, in spite of four stubborn and gallant stands, and a brave and 
determined fight made by Colonel John R. Kenly and his First Mary- 
land Federal Regiment, which lasted four hours, captured, killed or 
Avounded nearly every man in the command. 

"Mounted on horseback, and in military dress," continued the Con- 
federate veteran, "General Jackson's appearance was not improved." 

So the great hero was many-sided in his looks to the eyes of his 
devoted soldiery. 



54 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER TEN. 



NARROW ESCAPE OF STONEWALL JACKSON 
FROM CAPTURE. 



A Narrow Escape of General Jackson at Port Republic — A Close 
Avoidance by General Jackson from Capture near Boonsboro, Md. 

Jackson's Narrow Escape from Capture at Port Republic. — When 
the Confederate army reahzecl the situation on the morning of June 
the 8th, 1862, at Port Republic, Jackson with his 15,000, between 
Fremont with his 20,000 and Shields with his 8.000 troops, their 
hearts sank within them, and, for once, they lost faith in their leader. 
"Jackson is surrounded," went round and round the camp, and he 
alone, says Major Dabney, his chief of staff, ''was cheerful He knew 
what he was going to do." That was done the next day, in holding 
Fremont on a feint, while he defeated Shields and then burned the 
bridge so that Fremont could neither unite with Shields nor pursue 
Jackson. 

Early on the morning of the 8th an incident occurred that came near 
ending the Shenandoah Valley Campaign in overwhelming disaster 
for the Confederates. A small body of Confederates had been sent out 
on the night of the 7th to ascertain the position of the Federal army 
under General Alger, who was with the vanguard of Shields' forces. 
On the morning of the 8th, this cavalry force came galloping into Port 
Republic with discreditable haste. Ashby was dead, and his spirit was 
no longer amongst these horsemen. They declared that the Federals 
were advancing upon Port Republic and were almost in sight. It was 
more than true. General Jackson, who with his staff" Vv'as on the 
south side of the river, saw that not a moment was to be lost. The 
design of the enemy was evident. It was to make a sudden attack 
upon the town, burn the bridge, and thus cut off Jackson's army and get 
in its rear. 

Jackson to defeat this well-conceived strategy, sent rapidly to Talia- 
ferro and Winder to get their men under arms for the defense of the 
bridge, and to take position on the north bank of the river dominating 
the south side and the road leading along it to the bridge, and imme- 
diately opposite, and to command it with their batteries. Before these 
orders could be executed, the Federal advance, under Colonel Carroll,, 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAT.I, JACKSON, IJEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 55 

dashed into Port Republic and took possession of the south end of tlie 
bridge with one part of his detachment and sent the others forward 
towards Jackson's ammunition trains. The Confederates saw with 
horror their ammunition, without whicli success was impossible, at the 
mercy of the foes. 

While these stirring events were in progress about him, General 
Jackson, knowing that the act pre-eminent for him to do, was to 
rejoin his command on the north bank of the river, dashed ahead to- 
ward the bridge already in the hands of the enemy. As the Federal 
cavalry held the southern end of the bridge, the only means for Jack- 
son to reach his army was through the guards of the foe. The danger 
and the necessity of the situation gave another opportunity for General 
Jackson to display his daring and sagacity. He galloped forward into 
the squad of Federals holding the bridge, followed by his staff, and 
he and part of his staff' safely passed the ordeal, but two of his official 
family being captured. 

Rushing up to the heights, Jackson found one of Colonel Poague's 
guns ready to move. He directed him to hasten toward Port Republic, 
he himself going along and posting it in a field overlooking and com- 
manding the bridge. Colonel Poague said: — "I was surprised to see a 
gun posted on the farther end of the bridge; for I had just come from 
army headquarters, and, although I had met a cavalryman who told me 
the enemy were advancing up the river, still I did not think it possible 
they could have gotten any guns in place in so short a time. It, there- 
fore, occurred to me that the gun at the bridge might be one of Carring- 
ton's (Confederate), who was on that side and whose men had new 
uniforms — something like those we saw at the bridge. Upon my sug- 
gesting this to the General, he reflected a moment, and then riding a few 
paces to the left and in front of our piece, he called out in a tone loud 
enough to be heard by them : — 'Bring that gun up here !' But getting no 
reply, he raised himself in his stirrups and in a most authoritative and 
angry tone, he shouted : — 'Bring that gim up here, / say.' Major 
Dabney, who was present, said that the last order was given in a voice 
of the profoundest authority and command that could be possible. The 
Federal gunners were in mood to obey, and says Captain Poague, 
'they began to move the trail of the gun so as to bring it to bear on 
us, which, when the General perceived, he quickly turned to the offfcer- 
in-charge of my gun, and said in his sharp, quick way : — 'Let 'em have 
it.' The word had scarcely left his lips, when Lieutenant Brown, who 



56 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

had charge of the piece, charged and aimed, sent a shot right amongst 
them, that so disconcerted theirs in reply that it went far above us." 

While these pivotal events were transpiring at the bridge the other 
section of the Federal forces that was dashing towards the ammunition 
trains, was nearing their goal. The heart of the chief ordnance officer 
of Jackson sank within him as he saw their wagons and ammunition 
trains on the eve of certain destruction by their daring and courageous 
enemies. All was lost if the ammunition was captured. Here, however, 
that initiative that is inherent in the breast of the American soldier, 
came to the rescue of the alarming situation and the safety of the 
jX)ssession of wagons and the ammunition. vSome unnamed and capable 
hero gathered together a few sick and invalid soldiers and stragglers 
in camp, formed them into a platoon of infantry, posted them at a turn 
in the street where the Federal cavalry would have to pass on their 
way to the ammunition trains, and, as the galloping horsemen circled 
the corner, the improvised riflemen poured a leaden volley into 
their ranks. At the same decisive moment, a detachment of Con- 
federate cannoniers, who belonged to a battery whose old-fashioned 
guns had been declared unfit for use, by the Chief Ordnance Inspector 
of Jackson's army, unlimbered their cannon, loaded them and delivered 
a round of solid shot into the halted Federals. At that they turned and 
fled. Jackson's trains and army were saved. 

As the Confederate infantry on the north side of the Shanandoah 
reached the bridge. General Jackson placed himself at the head of the 
leading regiment — the 37th X'irginia, Colonel Fulkerson commanding — 
and rushed it at a double-quick toward the all-important causeway still 
in the enemy's possession. When Jackson approached the bridge, he 
saw the village of Port Republic crowded with Federal cavalry, but 
now checked in the pursuit of his trains, and while one of their two- 
field pieces was yet replying to the Confederate artillery, the other was 
still at the mouth of the bridge, prepared to sweep it with a murderous 
discharge of grape. One lightning glance Was enough to decide him. 
"Ordering Captain Poague to engage v/ith one of his pieces, the gun at 
the southern end of the bridge, he led the 37th aside from the high 
road so that they descended to the declivity obliquely against the upper 
part of the structure, m.arching by flank, \\ithout pausing to wheel 
them into line, as they came within effective distance, he commanded 
them in a tone and one of inexpressible authority, to deliver one round 
upon the enemy's artillery, and then rush through the bridge upon the 



TTIK LU-'E (IF STON i:\V.\LL JACKSON. LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 57 

foe with the bayonet. They fired one strong volley, and then dashed 
with a yell through the narrow avenue. As soon as Jackson uttered his 
command, he drew up his horse, and, dropping the reins upon his neck, 
raised both hands towards the heavens, while the fire of battle in his 
face changed into a look of reverential awe. Even while he prayed, the 
God of Battles heard : or ever he had withdrawn his uplifted hands, 
the bridge was gained, and the enemy's gun was captured." — Dahucy's 
Life of Jackson, \o\. I, p. 417. 

Narrow Escape of General Jackson from Capture. — General jack- 
son had many narrow escapes from capture during the war as well as 
from death before his mortal wounding came at Chancellors v^ille. Dur- 
ing the Maryland Campaign of 1862. Colonel Henry Kyd Douglas, of 
the General's Staff, went forward, with the escort of one cavalryman 
toward the town of Boonsboro, in Washington County, to secure in- 
formation. In the village he encountered a squadron of Federal cav- 
alry, "who without ceremony." stated the Colonel, "proceeded to 
make war" upon them. The two lone Confederates made a hasty 
retreat from the village, followed as rapidly by the Federal dragoons. 
Colonel Douglas turned and tried a couple of "Parthian shots" at their 
pursuers, to which they responded with a volley that sent a bullet 
through the flying Colonel's hat, and it and its beautiful plume — the 
gift of a lady in Frederick — rolled off into the dust, and the Colonel 
admitted that he did not take time to recover his chapeau and feathers. 
At the end of the burg the two Confederates saw General Jackson afoot 
slowly leading his horse. Realizing something daring had to be done 
to save their General, righting about, the two gave command as if they 
had received reinforcements, and charged the foe. Happily the chase 
had become less vigorous and the Federals deceived l)y the ruse, fled 
before the brave seen and unseen, jiut suspected, foes. General Jack- 
son was saved from capture and Colonel Douglas recovered his hat 
and plume. — Leaders and Battles of flie Civil War, \o\. 2, pp. 22- .S. 



58 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER ELEVEN, 



STONEWALL JACKSON'S PERSONAL CONTACT 
WITH HIS COMMAND. 



General Jackson a Strict Disciplinarian — Jackson's Humanity to 
His Men — General Jackson does Manual Labor to Forward a Move- 
ment — Jackson Thanks an Officer for Performing a Delicate Duty 
in a Trying Situation — Jackson Was Silent and Reserved Under 
Complaints — How General Jackson Wrote His Dispatch About the 
Battle of McDowell — Generals Jackson and Johnson Drive Away a 
Federal Sentry — A Heroic Sign Proposed by General Jackson at 
Fredericksburg — What Gave Stonewall Jackson's Command Suc- 
cess — Jackson Called His Men by the Name of Their Regiments — 
Jackson Asked a Brave Officer to Come on His Staff — Treatment 
by Jackson of a Former Student — General Jackson Was a Great 
Stickler for Obedience to His Orders — Jackson at the Battle of 
Port Republic — Religious Services Held Under Fire — A Look from 
Jackson SHences a Burst of Profanity — Jackson Called the Battle 
of Port Republic Delightful Excitement — Winder and Jackson Not 
Alyaws Harmonious. 

General Jackson a Strict Disciplinarian.- — Jackson's sentiments in 
regard to military discipline were made apparent early in the war. He 
issued an order that prohibited all officers from passing the pickets 
around the camps, except upon passes from headquarters, and it was 
required that those passes should specify whether the officer was upon 
public or private business. On this the following note was sent to Gen- 
eral Jackson's Adjutant-General : 

"Camp near Winchester, Ya., November 16, 1861." 
"Major : — The undersigned, having read General orders, No. 8, 
transmitted from the headquarters of the Army of the Valley, so far as 
it includes and relates to officers of their rank, respectfully submit: 
That it is an unwarranted assumption of Authority and in\'olves an 
improper inquiry into their private matters, of which, according to the 
official usage and courtesy of the Army, the Major-General command- 
ing has no right' to inquire information; it implies their abuse of their 
privileges accorded in every other department of the Army to officers 
of their rank, which there has been nothing in their conduct to jitstify; 



THK IJFK OF STONEWAIX JACKSON, MP:i;T.-C.KN., C. S. A. 59 

it disparages the dignity of the otfices whicli they have the honor to 
hold, and, in consequence, detracts from that respect of the force under 
their command whicli is necessary to maintain their authority and en- 
force obedience. Therefore, they complain of the order, and ask that 
it may be modified." 

"Respectfully submitted." 

(Sigiied l)y all the Regimental Commanders of the Brigade.) "Major 
A. H. Jackson, A. A. Genl." 

To this General Jackson replied : 

"Headquarters Valley District, November 17, 1861." 

"The major-general commanding desires me to say that the within- 
combined protests are in violation of the Army Regulations and sub- 
versive of military discipline. He claims the right to give his pickets 
such instructions as, in his opinion, the interests of the ptiblic service 
require. 

"Colonels . on the day that their Regiments 

arrived at their present encampments, either from incompetency to 
control their commands or from neglect of duty, so permitted their 
command to become disorganized and their ofifcers and men to enter 
Winchester without permission, as to render several arrests of officers 
necessary. 

"li officers desire to have control over their commands, they must 
remain habitually with them, and industriously attend their * * * 
and comfort, and in battle lead them well, and in such a manner as to 
command their admiration. 

"Such officers need not apprehend loss of respect resulting from in- 
serting in a written pass the words, 'On duty,' or 'on private business,' 
should they have occasion to pass the pickets." 

By command of Major-General Jackson, A. A. Genl." 

Jackson's Humanity to His Men. — General Winder, of General 
Jackson's command, "bucked" his men for straggling. This was a 
punishment that consisted of tying a soldier's haiids together at the 
wrists and slipping them down over his knees and then running a stick 
between his arms and legs. "I told my captain that I did not intend 
to answer roll-call that evening, and, if I was bucked again for strag- 
gling, it would be the last time ; that I would never shoulder my musket 
again for a cause that would treat soldiers in that manner. Some of 
our officers then went to General Jackson and made complaint about 



60 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

• 

Winder's order. He sent Winder word that he did not want 'to hear 
of any more bucking in that Brigade for straggHng.' — That was the 
last of it." — Caslers History, pp. 142-3. 

General Jackson Works at Manual Labor to Forward a Move- 
ment. — On the route to McDowell, in April, 1862, when Jackson be- 
gan his Valley Campaign, and started to strike Generals ]Milroy and 
Schenck, near Franklin, West \'irginia, the roads were so bad from re- 
cent rains, "that a whole day was spent helpingtrains through the mud." 
"Long details were made to mend the road to keep it in passal:)le condi- 
tion as train after train moved along. The General (Jackson) took part 
in the work. He urged on the laborers, encouraged the soldiers, and, 
having dismounted, assisted in carrying rails and stones." — Allen's 
Campaigns, p. 70. 

Jackson Thanks an Officer for Performing a Delicate Duty in a 
Trying Situation. — Colonel John D. Imboden, afterward General Im- 
boden, was the mustering officer at the beginning of the war. The 
question was, when he went to muster in the Staunton Artillerymen, 
whether their enlistment should be for one year or for the war. Colonel 
Imboden urged for the war. The men imanimousl}' shouted, "For the 
war, for the war." "Before they were dismissed, the ceremony of 
mustering was completed, and I (Colonel Imboden), proudly took the 
roll down to Colonel Jackson (Stonewall), with the remark: — 'There, 
Colonel, is the roll of your first company mustered in for the war.' 
He looked it over, and, rising, shook my hand, saying: — 'Thank you, 
Captain — thank you; and please thank your men for me.' He had 
heard that there was dissatisfaction in camp, and asked me to act 
as mustering ofticer for two other artillery companies present." — Bat- 
tles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 1, p. 121. 

Jackson Was Silent and Reserved Under Complaints. — During 
the winter of 1861-2, Jackson, by a campaign of two weeks of suf- 
fering for his men in cold and snow, had, with trifling loss, placed the 
Federal "troops opposed to him on the defensive, had expelled them 
virtually from his district : had liberated three counties from their rule, 
and secured the supplies in them for the subsistence of his own troops." 
These sufferings caused great complaint amongst his soldiers, especially 
amongst the new recruits of General Loring's command. "They com- 
plained bitterly of the campaign which had been conducted at the ex- 
pense of so much suffering, a campaign now suspended, they said, only 



THE LIFli OV STOXKWAr.L JACKSOX, LIEUT. -GEN'., C. S. A. 61 

to leave them, in the midst of an inhospitable mountain region (in and 
near Romney, \a.), out of reach of adequate supplies and of timely 
succor. They declared their position untenable in case of an attack, 
and even attril)utcd the removal of the 'Stonewall' (Garnett's) Bri- 
gade to Winchester, to favoritism. Jackson, silent and reserved in 
manner, never taking counsel even with his next in command as to 
his plans, most rigid and exacting as a commander, had not yet ac- 
([uired that wonderful control over his soldiers which, a few months 
later, would have rendered such murmuring impossible. Indeed, it is 
difficult to realize the feeling of distrust then manifested, when we con- 
sider the unbounded enthusiasm and dexotion with which many of these 
same men afterward followed Jackson to victory and to death."— 
Allen's Valley Campaign, p. 29. 

This confidence was illustrated by the fact that his men would nc\'er 
falter even when flanked — a time when veterans know it is the rule 
to fall back to save themselves from capture. Afrer the men, under 
vStonewall Jackson, had discovered his remarkable military ability, when 
bullets would begin to fly on their flank, doing what they would for no 
other general, they would hold their ground and say with perfect con- 
fidence in their commander : — "General Jackson knows all about that." 

How General Jackson Wrote His Despatch About the Battle of 
McDowell. — "The morning after the battle of McDowell (the first of 
Jackson's victories in the celebrated \'alley Campaign), I called very 
early on Jackson, at the residence of Colonel George W. Hull, of that 
village, where he had headquarters, to ask if I could be of any service 
to him, as I had to go to Staunton, forty miles distant, to look after 
some companies that were to join my command. He asked me to 
wait a few minutes, as he wished to prepare a telegram to be sent 
President Davis from Staunton, the nearest post-ofifice to McDowell. 
He took a seat at a table and wrote nearly a half page of foolscap ; he 
rose and stood before the fire-place pondering it for some minutes, then 
he tore it in pieces and wrote again, but much less, and again destroyed 
what he had written, and paced the room several times. He suddenly 
stopped, seated himself, and dashed off two or three lines, folded the 
paper, and said : — 'Send that ofi^ as soon as you reach Staunton.' As I 
bade him 'Goodbye.' he remarked, 'I may have other telegrams today 
or tomorrow, and I will send them to you for transmission. I wish 
yf)u to have two or three well-mounted couriers. to bring me the re- 
plies promptly.' I read the message he had given me. It was dated 



62 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

'McDowell' and read about: — 'Providence blessed our arms with vic- 
tory at McDowell yesterday.' That was all. A few days after I got 
to Staunton, a courier arrived with a message to be telegraphed to the 
vSecretary of War. I read it and sent it off, and ordered the mes- 
senger to be ready with his horse while T waited at the telegraph office 
for the reply. The message was to this effect : — 'Think I ought to 
attack Banks, but under my orders do not feel at liberty to do so.' 
In less than an hour a reply came, but not from the Secretary of War. 
It was from General Joseph E. Johnson, to whom I suppose the Secre- 
tary had referred General Jackson's message. I have a distinct recol- 
lection of its substance, as follows : — 'If you think you can beat Banks, 
attack him. I only intended my orders to caution you against attack- 
ing fortifications.' Banks was understood to have fortified himself 
strongly at Strasburg and Cedar Creek and he had fallen back there. 
I started the courier with this reply, as I suppose to McDowell ; but, 
lo, it met Jackson only twelve miles from Staunton, to which he had 
marched his little army, except Ashby's cavalry, which, under an in- 
trepid leader. Captain Sheetz, he had sent from McDowell to menace 
Fremont, who was concentrating at Franklin in Pendleton County, 
where he remained in blissful ignorance that Jackson had left Mc- 
Dowell, till he learned by telegraph nine days later that Jackson had 
fallen upon Banks at Front Royal and driven him through Winchester 
and across the Potomac." — General John D. Imboden. C. S. A. Jn 
Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 2, pp. 287-8. 

Generals Jackson and Johnson Drive Away a Federal Sentry. — In 

making his move at McDowell against Generals Milroy and Schenck, 
Generals Jackson and Johnson, in order to obtain a good view of the 
enemy, ascended the mountain, and coming up with a Federal sentry 
drove him away, as they advanced. They then proceeded to the western 
ridge of the pasture lands on the left, and passed the morning in ex- 
amining the position of their foes. — Dahney's Life of Jackson, p. 342. 

A Heroic Sign. — The defeat of General Burnside, on the 11th of 
December, 1862, at Fredericksburg, had been so easily accomplished 
that the Confederates could not realize that the repulse of the gallant 
and vigorous assault that the Federal Army had made, had been so 
readily accomplished and General Lee, in this state of uncertainty, 
called a council of his officers for advice. It was night when the council 
was in session. After General Lee had heard from a number of his 



THE IJFE OF STONEWALE JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN'., C. S. A. b?> 

officers, he turned to General Jackson, who had, for an hour, in tlie 
midst of the council, been pacing silently up and down the floor, and 
asked, "General Jackson, what do you think of it?" To this Jackson 
immediately replied. "Strip our men to the waist, and kill every man 
that has a shirt on !" 

The significance of this advice is enhanced by calling to mind that 
the great danger in night-assaults is that friend and foe cannot be told 
apart, and this was Jackson's means of furnishing proof as to which 
side a soldier belonged. The wintry weather appeared not to deter 
this masterful spirit from suggesting so heroic a sign to the soldiers 
of the Army of the Potomac. 

This anecdote was given the author by Caleb Alston, of the Virginia 
Military Institute, who received it from General W. E. Stevens, who 
was present at the council. 

What Gave Stonewall Jackson's Command Success. — "\\ hen 

Stonewall Jackson's command received the order to move, the men, as 
well as General Jackson, expected a victory over the enemy. That's 
what gave it its success." — C. A. Poncrden, of Carpenter's Battery, 
Stonezvall Brigade. 

Jackson Called His Men by the Name of Their Regiments. — It was 

General Jackson's habit, when having occasion to speak to one of his 
command in the private ranks, to call him by the name of his regi- 
ment. During a battle. Private Fleming, of Company K, 13th Vir- 
ginia, was observed by General Jackson to have one of the Pennsyd- 
vania Buck Tails as his prisoner. The General said: — "Hello, 13th! 
You've got him?" "What shall I do with him?" asked the captor. 
"Put him in that pen," answered Jackson. This was a temporary en- 
closure made by brush. — Related to flie author by Priz'ate Flemiufi. 

Stonewall Jackson Asked a Brave Officer to Come on His Staff. — 

At the battle of Fredericksburg, General Jackson rode up in front of 
Captain William F. Dement's Battery and said: — "I want an officer 
to carry a message for me. All my orderlies are gone. General Gregg's 
lines have been broken, and I want to send to General Doles for rein- 
forcements." Captain Dement volunteered and was given a verbal 
message to deliver. Fie rode down the line of battle, the bidlets flying 
thickly about him and piercing his clothes, but I)oth horse and rider 
escaped. When he had delivered the message, and had returned, Gen- 
eral Jackson said to him : — "Captain Dement, I would like to have you 
on mv staff." 



64 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"What position liave yoil to offer?" 

"I will make you inspector of my army, with the rank of captain." 
"General Jackson," replied Captain Dement, "1 will have to decline 
that. My men will give me promotion quicker." 

The authority, for this incident ivere Messrs. James JV Oivens and 
Eugene IV. JJ'orthington, zvho ivcre in Captain Dement's Battery and 
heard the conversation. 

Treatment by Jackson of a Former Scholar. — \\ hen in the fall of 
1862, the Confederate Army was retreating from the disastrous Mary- 
land Campaign into Virginia and crossing the Potomac at Shepherds- 
town, the Richmond Artillery was encamped near where Jackson was 
superintending the repair of the road so that his trains might pass over 
it Two former pupils of Jackson when at the \^irginia Military Insti- 
tute were in the battery, and one of them proposed that they would 
go over to see their distinguished teacher and general, the suggestor of 
the visit thinking to have with Jackson a sociable friendly talk about 
old times. The one who had received the invitation, said that he knew 
old Jack and declined to go. Several hours afterward the cadet who 
had gone to see Jackson returned, looking most woe-bcgone and filled 
with mud from head to foot. 'Did you see Jackson?' asked the stay- 
in-camp. 'Yes,' replied Jackson's visitor, 'and he put me to carrying 
stones to mend the road !' The author of the History of the Richmond 
Artillery, from which this incident is taken, who was the cadet who de- 
clined to visit Jackson with his comrade, observed that when Jackson 
* saw his old pupil the only thought he had for him was, 'Here's another 
man to help me'." 

Jackson Called the Battle of Port Republic a Delightful Excite- 
ment. — "Jackson." says General Richard Taylor, "was in the road 
(Monday, June 9th, at Port Republic)," a little in advance of his line, 
where the fire was hottest, with reins on his horse's neck, seemingly in 
prayer. Attracted by my approach, he said in his usual voice, "Delight- 
ful excitement." I replied that it was pleasant to learn he was enjoying 
himself, but thought that he might have indigest:ion from such fun if 
the 6-inch gun was not silenced. He summoned a young officer from 
his staff, and pointed up the mountain. The head of my approaching 
column was turned short up the slope, and speedily came to a path 
running parallel with the river. We took the path, the guide leading 
the way." 



THE IJFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. l.TErT.-GEN., C. S. A. 65 

A Look from General Jackson Silences a Burst of Profanity. — 

The author of this was told tliis incident on vSepteniber 4, 1919, at a 
Confederate Veteran Reunion, near BurHngton, in West Virginia, by 
Private William H. Parrill, a member of Comf)any F, 7th V^irginia 
Cavalry. C. S. A. : 

"One stormy night I wrapped myself in my gum blanket, and took 
refuge under a wagon. There I slept until morning. There was a de- 
pression in the ground where I slept and the water trickled into it little 
by little, and in such small quantities that my body kept it warm and I 
was not awakened by it. When I arose, I found that I was wet from 
my thighs down. I made the air blue imprecating the misery of a man 
living such a life as that. A man on the other side of a rail fence, 
two or three yards from me, arose from two rails on which he had been 
sleeping, and looked at me. It was General Jackson. My swearing 
ceased at once." 

Religious Services Held Under Fire. — While the religious service, 
near Franklin, the Sunday after the battle of McDowell, was in pro- 
gress, an incessant skirmish fire was kept up. Captain (Tarry Gilmor, in 
his "Four Years in the Saddle," says: 

"Every shot could be heard distinctly, and, occasionally, a stray 
bullet would come whizzing by. Major Dabney (who preached), stood 
on the ground unav.'ed ; General Jack.son a few paces in front, resting 
on one foot, with his hat off, shading his face from the sun. I watched 
him closely and saw not a muscle change during the whole service. The 
sturdy soldiers, browned in many a hard fought field, were lying around 
in bundles of hay, that had been taken from the stacks near by, and, 
although an incessant fire was going on, all listened attentively, with 
every eye fastened on the great chief. Few have ever seen such un- 
flinching nerve, and it was this will that won for us many a stubborn 
fight. W' hile I was sitting near him the day previous, with my company 
in the rear to act as couriers, a shell came crashing through the trees and 
cut under a large white oak within -a few feet of the general. It fell, 
and fortunately, it fell from him ; otherwise, he would have been 
crushed to death. 

"My gracious. General !" I exclaimed. "You have matle a narrow 
escape !" 

"He was then a little hard of hearing; and, thinking he had not 
heard me, I repeated : — 'You had a narrow escape, sir'." 



66 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"Ah, you think so, sir. You think so?' And. turning to my men, 
he said, 'You had better shelter them in a ravine near by,' but he did 
not move himself until he was called to another part of ihe field." 

Jackson at the Battle of Port Republic. — The sounds of battle re- 
ceded in the hearing of General Taylor and his troops, and a Federal 
cheer showed that Jackson was being hard pressed, and. although not 
ready, because his command was not yet all up with him on the moun- 
tain, General Taylor charged from the rear upon the Federal battery 
that was doing so much damage to the Confederates below them on 
the plain and contributing so greatly to the Federal success that was 
fast turning the action into a rout for their foes. 

"The fighting," says General Taylor, "in and around the battery was 
hand to hand, and many fell from bayonet wounds. Even the artillery 
used their rammers in a way not laid down in the manual, and died at 
their gund. As Calvin said to the devil : — ' 'Twas claw for claw.' I called 
for Hays, but he, the promptest of men, and his splendid regiment could 
not be found. Something unexpected had happened ; but there was no 
time for speculating. With a desparate rally, in which I believe the 
drummer boys shared, we carried the battery for the third time and 
held it." 

The battery was turned on the fleeing Federals, and Ewell, who had 
come up with his staff, served as one of the gunners. 

Jackson now arrived, and, with an intense light in his eyes, grasped 
General Taylor's hand, and said that his brigade should have the cap- 
tured cannon. "I thought," said General Taylor, "the men would go. 
mad with cheering, especially the Irishmen. A large fellow with one 
eye closed, and half his whiskers burned by powder, was riding cock- 
horse on a gim, and, catching my attention, yelled out : — 'We told you 
to bet on 3'our boys.' Their success against their brother Irishmen in 
Shields' army seemed doubly welcome to them." 

Jackson had been so hard pressed that he had stopped Colonel 
Hays' regiment to help him. Hays and others were severely wounded, 
and numbers of the regiment were killed. Lieutenant English, of 
Harper's Ferry, who had guided General Taylor to his place on the 
mountain, was one of the first to reach the Federal battery in a charge, 
and the gallant young officer was killed. 

General Jackson a Great Stickler for Obedience to His Orders. — 

General Jackson was a very great stickler for strict obedience to his 



THE LIFE OK STONEWALL JACKSON , LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 67 

orders. On the pursuit of the Federals from McDowell to Franklin, 
on the morning of the 10th of May, General Charles Winder with his 
Brigade came to a fork in the road and having no instructions as to 
which road to take, he stopped his command, and sent back to General 
Jackson to know which fork of the road to pursue. Arms were stacked 
along the narrow road. A battery soon appeared" from the rear, and 
the musket stacks had to be broken for the cannon to pass on. Soon 
after (icneral Jackson arrived. General Winder mounted with flushed 
face, and when Jackson reached him, he said that he (Winder) had 
heard a report that General Jackson had put him under arrest for not 
having his troops up at the battle of McDowell, and Winder asked if 
Jackson had said anything to warrant it. General Jackson replied that 
he had not. General Winder then declared that he had always obeyed 
the orders he had from him. Jackson immediately said : — "But General 
AVinder, you are not obeying orders now. My order is that 'Whenever 
there is a halt, the men shall 'stack arms." To this General Winder 
replied : — 'I did obey your order, but had to break the stacks to let a 
battery pass.' and added that he intended to have his rank as second 
in the command respected by everybody. Captain McHenry Howard, 
who was close by and heard the whole colloquy, expected General Jack- 
son to put Winder under immediate arrest. Just then a courier ar- 
rived from Richmond and gave General Jackson a despatch, who, after 
reading it, handed it to General Winder, wliich greatly suppressed 
the fears of Captain Howard, who took Jackson's act as one of friend- 
ship for General Winder. 

Winder and Jackson not Always Harmonious. — (^n June 12th, 
while the anny was still encamped near Port Republic, General Charles 
Winder came to General Richard Taylor saying that he had asked 
leave to go to Richmond, and having been refused his request, had re- 
signed. "He," says General Taylor, "commanded Jackson's old bri- 
gade, and was aggrieved by some interference. Holding Winder in 
high esteem, I hoped to save him to the army, and went to Jackson, to 
whose magnanimity I appealed, and to drive this home dwelt on the 
rich harvest of glory he had reaped in his brilliant (the Shenandoah) 
campaign. Observing him closely, I caught a glimpse of his inner 
ration. ( ?) It was but a glimpse. The curtain closed and he was 
absorbed in prayer. Yet in that moment, I saw an ambition as bound- 
less as Cromwell's, and as merciless. The latter character was ex- 
hibited in his treatment of Garnett. * =i= * j have never met an 



68 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

officer or soldier, present at Kernstown, who failed to condemn tlie 
harsh treatment of General Garnett after that action. * * * 

"No reply was made to my effort for Winder, and I rose to take my 
leave, when Jackson said he would ride with me. We passed silently 
along the way to camp, where he left me. That night a few lines 
came from Winder to inform me that Jackson had called on him, and 
his resignation was withdrawn." 



*If General Taylor's opinion of the mercilessncss of Gener.al Jackson rests oa 
his treatment of General Garnett, it stands on unstable ground. Jackson was a 
soldier learned in the arts of war far above his fellows; he knew the necessity 
of winning Kernstown; he knew there was in the midst of the terrible ordeal in 
which Garnett and his brigade was placed, one military remedy. Until that 
was tried Jackson believed the last piece on the board had not been played that 
could have brought him victory — the rebel veil, the bayonet charge, and the 
death grip of battle between man and man. General Garnett gave the order 
to fall back while yet his hand held the winning card, Jackson knew. 



THE LIFE OF STCJN'EWAM. JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 69 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 



STONEWALL JACKSON'S MILITARY SAGACITY. 
AND STRATEGY. 



Jackson's Military Strategy at the RappzJizunnock — Jackson and 
Ewell Delay to Obey an Order to Secure a Victory — Jackson's 
Ability to Anticipate the Movements of the Enemy — With Stone- 
wall Jackson it Was: — "This One Thing I Do" — Jackson Proposes 
a Night Attack at Fredericksburg — Jackson and Lee Planned the 
Detour to the Rear of Pope's Army — A Summary of the Shenan- 
doah Valley Campaign. 

Jackson's Military Strategy. — Short!}- before General Jackson 
made his flank movement at Manassas around General Pope's Army, he 
undertook a manoeuvre that required him to cross the Rappahannock, 
at Warrenton Springs, on August 22, 1S62, which was bridgeless and 
swollen to a degree almost impassible. Six pieces of artiller}^, with the 
water almost over their cassions, belonging to the Maryland and Chesa- 
peake batteries, forded the river, followed by a!)out fifteen hundred 
troops under the command of General Early. At that point, the river, 
rising all the time, became unfordable. A large body of Federal 
troops was directly before this isolated couimand. Calling to Early to 
cross the river, Jackson told him to plant his guns on the highest hill 
he could find, and to fire at anything he saw, and to march his infantry 
around the lowlands, in sight of the enemy, so as to make it appear that 
a large force was present. 

The infantry was then placed in line along the edge of a wood, hidden 
in the grass near it, and General Jackson directed General Early, the 
next day, to form his line of battle ahead of the skirmish line, and, if 
obliged to retreat, to follow the course of the river until he could find 
a place where his army could ford it. That evening a Federal soldier 
who came into the woods near the Confederates to discover something 
about them, was captured and cjuestioned as to the strength of the 
Federal troops. He told the Confederates that the woods were full 
of Union troops, and that a hundred thousand were encamped beyond 
in the open. The next day. Early did as Jackson had directed him, 
reversed the order of battle, by putting the line of battle in front of the 
skirmishers, but hidden in the grass. As the Federals came through 
the wood in an attack, the Confederate skirmishers retreated before 



70 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

them. Unsuspecting an ambush, the Federals advanced to within 
fifty feet of the Confederate Hnes, when they rose up and fired. The 
astonished Federals gave way and retreated. The Confederates charged 
and their batteries opened on the flying Federals with canister. By the 
night of the second day, Jackson had succeeded in having a pontoon 
bridge thrown across the river, and the isolated segment of his com- 
mand, under the cover of darkness, rejoined the main army. The 
cannon had to be dragged over 1)y hand on tlie improvised structure, 
while the horses waded the river, as the bridge was too slight in its 
construction to bear the weight of both horses and great guns. 

The Confederates felt themselves in such peril during the two days 
they were cut off from the rest of their forces that not a harness was 
taken off a horse and the horses were only led to water two at a time, 
so that the artillerymen might lose no time in getting away in case of 
necessity. The morning after the escape, by dawn, a hundred pieces 
of Federal artillery opened on the hill that had been occupied by the 
Confederates the evening previous, and tore it to pieces. — The authority 
for this incident zva^ Mr. George G. Higgins, who zvas in the Maryland 
Battery and ivho heard General Jackson call his orders over the Rap- 
pahannock to General Early. 

Jackson and Ewell Delay to Obey an Order to Secure a Victory. — 

Any occurrences, if they carried good in the happening, were blessings 
from on high to General Jackson. Soon after the Reverend Dr. 
Dabney joined his staff ; General Jackson wrote : — "Dr. Dabney is 
here, and I am very thankful to God for it, He comes up to my high- 
est expectations as a staff officer." 

When he had driven back Milroy and Schenck from Franklin, he 
wrote to Mrs. Jackson : — "My precious darling, I telegraphed you on 

the that God had blessed us with a victory at McDowell. 

* * * We have divine service at ten o'clock today (Monday), to 
render thanks to Almighty God for having crowned our arms with 
success, and to implore his continued favor." On May 19th, he wrote 
Mrs. Jackson: — "Yesterday Dr. Dabney preached an excellent sermon 
from the text : — 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest.' It is a great privilege to have him with me." 

W^hen General Jackson was about to make his second great movement 
in the famous Valley Campaign, and to attack Banks, and had received 
orders from General Johnston calling him with his forces back to 
Gordonsville, he concluded that this, too, was an act of Providence. He 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 71 

said regretfully to General Evvell : — "''rhen Providence denies me the 
privilege of striking a decisive blow for my coimtry, and I must be 
satisfied with the humble task of hiding my little army among these 
mountains to watch a superior force." Yet in Jackson's last analysis 
is another proof how narrow is man's vision in determining what are 
the final acts of Providence in any unfinished event. Jackson and 
Ewell, at Ewell's proposal, delayed to obey the order until Jackson had 
heard from General Johnston again, and had secured permission to 
strike the final blow he had intended that routed Banks's army. He 
called then the conclusion of the whole matter, "the hand of Provi- 
dence in the brilliant successes of the last three days." 

Jackson's Ability to Anticipate the Movements of the Enemy. — 

"Many incidents of Jackson's career prove that he possessed the in- 
tuitive power to know the plight, and to foretell the purposes of the 
Federal army and its commanders. To describe the first that I recall, 
while dressing his wounded hand at the First Manassas at the field 
hospital of the brigade at Young's Branch, near the Lewis House^ I saw 
President Davis ride up from Manassas. He had been told by strag- 
glers that our army had been defeated. He stopped his horse in the 
middle of the little stream, stood up in his stirrups (the palest, sternest 
face I ever saw), and cried to the great crowd of soldiers: — 'I am 
President Davis. Follow me back to the field.' General Jackson did 
not hear distinctly ; I told him who he was and what he said. He stood 
up. took ofif his hat and cried : — 'We have whipped them — they ran 
like sheep. Give me ten thousand men, and I will take Washington 
City to-morrow.' Who doubts now that he could have done so?" — Dr. 
Hunter McGuirc, in The Confederate Cause, p. 196-7. 

Jackson Divines McCIellan's Movements at Marvel Hill. — "Dr. B. 
L. Dabney, one of the best known members of the Presbyterian Church, 
in the South, and, at the time referred to, associated with Jackson's 
staff, in the capacity of chaplain, narrates an incident which illustrates 
how vividly Jackson realized what modern writers term the psycho- 
logical moment' in the progress of an engagement. During the fury of 
the struggle at Malvern Hill. Jackson was roused with great difficulty 
from a heavy slumber, and informed of the situation. Those around 
him were apprehensive of the result, for attack after attack on our part 
had been repulsed with severe loss. Jackson, upon recovering his con- 
sciousness, merely said, 'McClellan is only fighting to get away. In 
the morning, he will be gone.' He immediately resumed his nap, and 



72 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTE^ OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Dr. Dabney adds that, upon liearing his opinion, he at once followed 
his example. When the morning light dawned upon this scene of 
blood, every trace of the enemy had disappeared." — Shepherd's Life of 
Lee, p. 71. 

With Stonewall Jackson it Was :--"This One Thing I Do."— When 
General Jackson entered the military service of the Confederate States 
it was with him : "This One Thing I Do " An officer relates that on 
one occasion during the war he had to ride with General Jackson, each 
on horseback, a distance of twenty miles. The companion of Jackson 
had felicited himself upon the anticipated pleasures of a day's con- 
versation with a great man. As they set out the officer commenced 
to talk to General Jackson, but he soon found out that the General was 
in no mood for conversation and he at once desisted, and so i;hey rode 
together almost all day without a word passing between them. Sud- 
denly as the evening began to close and their journey was near its end. 
General Jackson, with dramatic expression and gesture to suit, cried 
out as if he were clinching an argument, which no doubt he had carried 
on mentally to its conclusion:— "It can be done!" Then collecting 
himself, he appeared to see the awkwardness of the situation, and, 
pointing to a farm house they were passing, observed that it was "a 
very fine dwelling." This was the extent of the day's talk. Jackson's 
mind was evidently deep in the martial problems that he was endeavor- 
ing to solve. 

Jackson Proposed a Night Attack at Fredericksburg. — General 
Jackson asked his Surgeon-General, Dr. Hunter McGuire, on the even- 
ing of December 13, 1862, how many yards of bandages he had. The 
Surgeon-General said that he did not know, but that he had enough for 
another fight. At this General Jackson appeared a little worried at 
this want of exact information. Dr. McGuire repeated that he had 
enough for another battle, and then asked the General : — "Why do 
you want to know how much bandaging I have ?" Jaclcson replied : — "I 
Avant a yard of bandaging to put on the arm of every soldier in this 
night attack, so that our men may know each other from the enemy." 

This plan of attack was never executed. General Lee thought the 
stratagem too uncertain of success. 

Jackson and Lee Planned Jackson's Detour to the Rear of Pope's 
Army. — General Lee said that in the council of war between himself 
and Jackson on the question of the attack on Pope, a plan was deter- 



THE LIFI-: OF STONKWAI.I, JACKSON, LIEUT. -OEN., C. S. A. 7i 

mined upon. Who j)ro[)oscd the strategem that cuhiiinated in Jack- 
son's making thirty-two miles in a single night with his whole corps to 
the rear of Pope's army, and tlius placing himself between the Federal 
forces and Washington, is not known. Jackson and Lee were seen 
together with Jackson quite excited and making a diagram in the sand 
with the toe of his boot. General Lee listened and now and then moved 
his head in assent, apparently. 

It was on this detour was heard the frecjuent ejaculation of Jackson 
to "Press on! Press on!" as he rode up and down alongside his moving 
columns. His presence was a signal for enthusiastic cheers always, 
but this day Jackson wished no greetings, lest the enemy should know 
he was near. So the word was passed down the line, "No cheering 
for Jackson," but as he rode by the enthusiastic troops could not en- 
tirely repress their feelings, so lifting their war-grimed hats, the soldiers 
held their caps aloft in token of their love, admiration and confidence in 
their unconqurable leader. Jackson was greatly moved by this ex- 
hibition of respect and afrection, and turning to his staff he said : — 
"Who could fail to win battles with such men as these?" 

Summary of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. — It was on Sun- 
day morning, June 1, 1862, that Oeneral Shields had started from Front 
Royal, twelve miles distant, to intercept (jcneral Jackson at Strasburg; 
but the game was already lost. Jackson was through Strasburg. 
Winder was coming on about fi^'e miles behind with the rear-guard, and 
checking, as he passed the gates, Fremont and his belated command. 
This was the firing that McDowell and Shields had heard. The two 
Federal commanders were capable men. Fremont was an old ex- 
plorer of the west. It was a battle royal between American skill and 
valor on one side and American valor and skill on the other. The 
twelve miles that Shields was behind Jackson was made longer by the 
difficulties of the way — the road lay through a hilly country — the 
same impediment that prevented Ewell from being up with Jackson 
at Front Royal when he had come up the \'alley. Beside, Shields had 
a river to cross. The day and its possible success in checking Jackson's 
retreat had been lost practically when General Shields, under wrong- 
information given him by one of his aides, that Jackson had returned 
toward Winchester, had turned off the Strasburg road to the W^in- 
chester pike. 

General Shields finally took his chosen road, south of th.e Shenandoah, 
to follow Jackson, believing that he could cut him off before he reached 



74 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

• 

Port Republic. Thus the race, after Jackson and for the possession 
of three bridges across the Shenandoah, began. Shields had a longer 
and rougher road than Jackson, but Jackson was impeded in his prog- 
ress by his numerous prisoners, and his long train of wagons with the 
stores that he had captured at Winchester, which he was trymg to 
save to the Confederate army. 

Meanwhile, after General A\'inder had held back Fremont until 
Jackson's rear-guard had passed through Strasburg, Winder then, at 
the close of this action and at the proper moment, passed on and joined 
Jackson's main body. Fremont fell in the rear of the Confederate 
army, to nag and fight them at every step in their retreat towards 
Port Republic. Shields, having a longer route than Fremont, made a 
slower but a most detennined march to catch up with Jackson and to 
defeat his plans. 

The movements of Jackson had been most extraordinary, consider- 
ing his impedimenta. On Friday morning, May 30th, Jackson was in 
front of Harpers Ferry, 50 miles from Strasburg. Fremont was en- 
camped at Moorefield, 38 miles from the same place, with his advance 
miles farther on the way to Strasburg. Shields was 20 miles from 
the town of Strasburg, with his vanguard by the noon of Friday at 
Front Royal, only 12 miles from Strasburg. General McDowell fol- 
lowed with two divisions. General Shields and was within supporting 
distance of him. By Sunday night, encumbered with twelve miles of 
captured trains and three thousand prisoners, Jackson had marched, 
since Friday, 60 miles, run safely the gauntlet at vStrasburg, and was 
far in front of his enemies, and was enabled to take the time he needed 
to deliver his booty and his prisoners to places of safety, and at the 
same moment ward oflf the blows at his heels and, finally, face about 
and defeat his pursuers. 

Every point was apparently noted and covered by Jackson. Tn 
retreating towards Port Republic, Jackson secured the shortest route 
to the Virginia Central Railroad, in case it was necessary to leave the 
Valley, while the terrain in which his movement lay, through Brown's 
Gap, gave him an almost unassailable position, if he desired to make 
a stand and give battle to his enemies. Two spurs of the mountain, one 
on the left and the other on the right of the road nearly met here. 
There was no opportunity afforded to use either the cavalry or the 
artillery against him, but it was a position in which a regiment could 
hold an army at bay. 



THE LIFE OF STOXEWALI, JACKSON, LI ErT.-CEX., C. S. A. 75 

The Rapidity of Jackson's Movements Had Been a Marvel. — On 

the 30th of April, in the midst of a rainstorm, and over roads that 
became quagmires under travel, Jackson had begun his march toward 
McDowell, a hundred miles from Elk Run Valley from which he had 
started. On the 7th of May, he was at McDowell. Winning a battle 
there on the 8th, and resting and refreshing his men, on the 14th he left 
Franklin, General Banks in whose front he had been at Elk Run, 
only learning that Jackson had left his neighborhood by hearing by 
telegraph that he had fallen upon Milroy and Schenck at McDowell, 
and had chased them twenty miles to Franklin. On the 23rd of May, 
after having travelled all by foot, one hundred and ten miles, when 
his enemies did not know that he was within fifty miles of them, he 
appeared like an avalanche upon Colonel Kenly at Front Royal, with 
the advance of Banks's army, and captured the whole command, pur- 
sued Banks's fleeing army from Strasburg to Winchester, and on the 
morning of the 25th of May, after 18 miles of running battle, defeated 
Banks at Winchester, and captured two millions' worth of military 
stores and trains twelve miles in length. Following Banks' army 
another twenty-five miles, he then gave his troops their needed rest, 
deceived by his bold feints the enemy as to what he intended to do, 
and kept them in dread that he would descend upon Washington, and 
on the 31st of May began his wonderful retrograde movement of 
forty-five miles with a day's time to accomplish it in, successfully passed 
with his main army the narrow gap that was open between himself and 
his foes converging upon him, and delivered a right-hand blow upon 
one of them and drove him back until his rear guard had passed 
safely the guantlet at Strasburg and had joined him, leaving his 
pursuers hoplessly in the rear. 

Encumbered with 3,000 prisoners and twelve miles of wagons, filled 
with precious military stores, he marched rapidly but methodically 
along with his foes at his side and at his heels, fought and won two 
battles, sent his captures and prisoners to points of safety, and march- 
ing another hundred miles, appeared on the 26th of June in the rear of 
McClellan's army, turned his right wing, and materially assisted in the 
defeat of the finest aggregation of troops that, up to that time, had 
been seen in America. AH done in less than two months. To do this, 
the armv had been marched five hundred miles — the most of it on foot. 



76 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 



EXCEPTIONS THAT STONEWALL JACKSON MADE AS 

TO HIS RULE OF SECRECY AS TO HIS 

INTENDED MOVEMENTS. 



General Jackson Explained to General Jeb Steuart and General 
Taliaferro the Movement the Night Before of His Proposed Attack 
on Pope's Flank, August 29th, 1862 — General Jackson Explained to 
His Chief of Staff His Intention to Join Lee's Army on the Penin- 
sula, and Left Him in Charge of the Marching Body While He 
Proceeded on Horseback to Have an Interview With General Lee — 
General Jackson Tells General D. H. Hill What to Do in Case of a 
Casualty to Him — General Jackson Sent for and Informed General 
Imboden Early on the Morning of June 9, 1862, of the Plan of His 
Battle of Port Republic. 

General Jackson Made Exceptions to the Rule Not to Tell His 
Plans. — While it was a rigid rule, in the abstract, with General Jack- 
son, not to disclose his plans of battle to any, yet there are a number 
of noted exceptions, when, from necessity, to formulate his strategy 
and give it success, he confided to his inferior officers what his object 
was in the movement he was about to make, or was executing. There 
is, also, a noted case when under the excitement and disappointment 
over his officers not measuring up to his designs, when he had called 
them into his counsel at Winchester, Va., he unbosomed himself 
to a close and true friend of what had been his intentions had his 
officers supported his views of the situation and his plan of opera- 
tions. 

The day that General Jackson turned Pope's flank, August 29, 
1862, at the second battle of Manassas, and v/as between the Federal 
Army and Washington City, the General explained to General Jeb 
Steuart and General Taliaferro the movement he proposed to make 
that night and the next day, and the plan 1)y which he would reunite 
his corps with that of General Longstreet, in case the latter could not 
push his way through Thoroughfare Gap. General Jackson was 
to retire to a point west of the Warrenton Pike, nearer than was his 
present position to the Bull Rim Mountains and on the flank of ihe 
Federal Army, in the vicinity of Aldie Gap, and thus open a means 
of retreat in the case of failure on the part of General Longstreet to 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAIJ. JACKSON, IJELTT.-C.EN., C. S. A. 77 

conibitif Willi him. Longstrcet, however, pressed his way through the 
Gap. and, after a stubborn resistance by the Union forces, dealt a 
crushing blow upon the enemy, and rendered the plan of retreat out- 
lined by Jackson to his subordinates unnecessary. 

General Jackson had received a message after his \''alley Campaign 
had ended to join General Lee to aid him in his operations against 
General McClellan on the Peninsula, and it was necessary for General 
Jackson to meet General Lee in person before this juncture of forces 
could be made. Selecting one companion, he proceeded co ride the 
tifty miles that lay between him and Richmond. It was incumbent 
upon for him to 1;ell his chief of staff. Captain Dabney, what his 
movement was, since he left him in charge of the army then advancing 
toward Richmond. lie was the only officer to whom General Jackson 
confided this important military secret, for while the whole army was 
guessing this was the intention of their leader, no one knew, and there 
was no little indignation displayed by one of his leading generals, 
General Ewell, because he was kept in ignorance of what every soldier 
knew, or rather, -what every soldier surmised, tt might be almost 
neesless to say that General Jackson traveled incognito, and this 
led to a very interesting incident. General Jackson informed his 
chief of staff what were his intentions, in order that his chief of staff 
might press the movement with all haste in liis General's a!)sence. 

Captain Dabney gives the particulars of this operation and the confi- 
dence given him by General jack.son. Captain Dabney says: "Gen- 
eral Jackson's forced march from Mt. Meridian, in the neighbor- 
hood of the Port Republic battlefield, began in earnest on Wednesday, 
June 18th (1862), the General and a few of his troops having left 
the day before. About midday, on Thursday, the 19th. we were at 
Medium's River Station, about 10 miles west of Chancellorsville, with 
the head of the column. The General called me into a room, locked 
the door, and told me he was abcnit to go in advance of his corps by 
rail to Richmond to see the Commander-in-chief ; that the corps was 
going to Richmond to join in the general attack upon McClellan ; 
but that he would return to his command before we got there ; that 
I was to march the corps toward Richmond, following the line of the 
railroad, as near as the country roads would permit, by Ciiarlottesville 
and Gordonsviile, General Ewell's division to form the liead of the 
column, with which I was personally to proceed ; that strict precau- 
tions of secrecv were to be obser\ed — which he then dictated to me. 



78 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

He then got on an express train and left us. I dined that day with 
General Ewell, and I remember that he complained to me with some 
bitterness of General J.'s reserve, saying: 'Here, now, the General 
has gone off on the railroad without intrusting me, his senior major- 
general, any order; but (Major) J. A. Haman. his quartermaster, 
enjoys his full confidence, I suppose, for I hear he is telling the troops 
that we are going to Richmond to fight McClellan.' 'You may be cer- 
tain, General Ewell,' I replied, 'that you stand higher in General 
Jackson's confidence than anyone else, as your rank and services entitle 
you. As for Major Haman, he has not heard a word more than others. 
If he thinks we are going to Richmond, it is only his surmise, which 
I suppose every intelligent private is now making.' " — Battles and 
Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 2, p. 348. 

At a certain point on the way to Richmond General Jackson left 
the railroad, and, with a single companion, started on a fifty-three 
mile horseback ride, which he made in one day. At one farmhouse 
the two horsemen stopped and asked the planter for fresh mounts 
and to saddle them for him. The irate farmer declared he was not 
exchanging horses with ever}^ stray cavalryman that came along, and 
that he (in contradistinction to saddling horses for people), "had 
others to saddle horses for him." He was finally persuaded to make 
an exchange. When the farmer found out later what a distinguished 
petitioner he had had, he exclaimed: "If I had known it was General 
Jackson, he could have had any horse in my stable." 

In the Maryland Campaign of 1862, General Jackson confided to 
one of his staff. Major H. Kyd Douglas, a plan he had been ordered 
to execute. In Vol. 2, at page 622, Battles and Leaders of the Civil 
War, Major Douglas gives the incident: "Early on the 10th (Sep- 
tember, 1862), Jackson was off. In Frederick (Maryland) he asked 
for a map of Chambersburg and its vicinity, and made many irrelevant 
inquiries about roads and localities in the direction of Pennsylvania. 
To his staff, who knew what little value these inquiries had, his ques- 
tions only illustrated his well-known motto: 'Mystify; mystery is the 
secret of success.' I was then assistant inspector-general on his staff". 
and also acting aide-de-camp. It was my turn this day to be intrusted 
with the knowledge of his purpose. Having finished his public in- 
quiry, he took me aside, and, after asking me (Major Douglas was 
raised in this section) about the different fords of the Potomac, be- 
tween Williamsport and Harper's Ferry, told me tliat he was ordered 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAIX JACKSON.. LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. /"J 

to capture the garrison at Harper's Ferry, and would cross at either 
WilHamsport or Shcphcrdstown, as the enemy might or might not 
withdraw from Martinsburg. I did not know then of General Lee's 
order." 

Jackson then captured 11.000 men and a great quantity of stores. 

General Jackson Tells General D. H. Hill What to Do in Case 
of a Casualty to Him. — "When Jackson's corps was so strangely 
left at Winchester after the battle at Sharpsburg. or Antietam, and 
General Lee had gone to the Rappahannock, and we were making a 
feint every day of holding the gaps in the Blue Ridge, with strict 
orders not to bring on an engagement, I said to Jackson one day : 
'I am the next in rank, and should you be killed or captured in your 
many scouts around, I would not know what the corps was left for, or 
what it was expected to do.' He then told me that he had suggested 
to General Lee, who had to move back to protect Richmond, that he 
could remain and remove our wounded and stores, and that his pres- 
ence on McClellan's flank and rear would keep him from attacking 
Lee. In case of any casualty to himself, the removal was to go on 
till completed."— A^o/i" by Gen. D. H. Hill, in Vol. 2, p. 348. in Battles 
and Leaders of the Civil War. 

General Jackson Explained to General Imboden His Plan of the 
Battle of Port Republic. — The day before the battle of Port Re- 
public, which occurred on the 9th of June. 1862, General Jackson 
sent for General John B. Imboden. In the interview between the 
two, General Jackson, "for the first time, in all my intercourse with 
him." says General Impoden, "outlined the day's proposed operations. 
He said, 'Charley Winder (Brigadier-General \Vinder. commanding 
the old Stonewall Brigade), will cross the river at daylight and attach 
Shields on the Lewis Farm (two miles below). I shall support him 
with the other troops as fast as they can be put in line. General 
"Dick" Taylor will move through the wood at the side of the moun- 
tain, with his Louisiana Brigade, and rush above their left flank by 
the time the action becomes general. By 10 o'clock we shall get them 
on the run, and I'll now tell you what I want with you. Send the 
]ng new rifle-gun you have (a 12-pounder Parrott), to Poague (Com- 
mander of the Rockljridge Artillery), and let your mounted men report 
to the cavalry. I want you in person to take your howitzers to the 
field, in some safe position in rear of line, keeping everything packed 
on mules, readv at any moment to take to the mountainside. Three 



80 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

miles below Lewis's house there is a defile on the Luray Road. Shields 
may rally and make a stand there. If he does,. I can't reach him with 
the field artillery on account of the woods. You can carry your 12- 
pounder howitzers on the mules up the mountainside, and at some 
good place unpack and shell the enemy out of defile, and the cavalry 
will do the rest.' " General Imboden adds : "This plan of battle was 
carried out to the letter." — Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. 
Vol. 2, p. 293. 



THK LIFE OF STONEVVAIJ. JACKSON', LTEUT.-GKN., C. S. A. 81 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 



A CHAPLET OF MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES OF 
STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Jackson Thought to Be a Fool at the Initiative of His Career — 
Jackson's Name Calms an Irate Farmer — A Royal Reception to 
General Jackson — Jackson Did Not Want to Survive the Loss of 
His Country's Independence — Jackson's Photograph — Jackson De- 
clines to Wear a New Cap at the Bidding of His Staff — How Jack- 
son Obtained His Lemons — Jackson Presses an Important Question 
Home — Jackson Gives His PersonzJ Services — Stonewall Jackson 
Meets With an Accident — His One Difficulty at West Point — The 
Last Day Jackson Spent Under His Ow^n Roof — What It Cost to 
Be in Stonewall Jackson's Brigade — A Sentry Makes Stonewall 
Halt and Dismount — Jackson Promised to Give His Attention to 
Pope — An Old North Carolinian Makes a Verbal Onslaught on 
Jackson — "Press Them, Hill" — Jackson Was Bitter and Loyal — 
Once a Friend of Jackson — Jackson at Cedar Mountain — Jackson 
Disconcerted by the Admiration of the Beauties of Frederick, Md. — 
"Somewhere in France" Not New — Jackson's Lost Military Or- 
der — Jackson's Words to His Successor — Unavoidable Accidents 
Prevented Jackson From Winning Three Victories in One Day — 
Jackson Had a Premonition of Victory at Port Republic — Jackson 
Asked Captain Harry Gilmor for Trustworthy Couriers. 

Even a Fool at the Initiative of His Career to His Generals. — 

W'hen General Jackson made his dash up to McDowell, in the v'-'prinj^ 
of 1862, and defeated Milroy and Schenck. he had <^\\ en orders for 
Evvell to follow him. Above Staunton, Ewell found, at Tacl-json's 
empty camp, a courier awaiting him with orders from Jackson. The 
day after the battle at McDowell, Ewell. from a mountain top, saw, 
several miles away, Jack.son with his army train, for he always would 
take his wagons with him, going toward Winchester. At this Ewell 
exclaimed : "That old fool Jackson is going to present his wagon 
train to the Yankees !" How little he knew of the resources of this 
genius. In a few days his corps had won the battle of Front Royal 
and had put to sorry flight General r>anks's whole army. 



82 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Jackson's Name Calms an Irate Farmer. — During the operations 
around Richmond, General Jackson and his staff rode through the 
growing crop of a farmer of that section. The owner of the field 
came out in great indignation and wanted to know who was in com- 
mand of the party to report the matter. "I am," answered General 
Jackson. "What is your name?" asked the farmer. "'Jackson." "Stone- 
wall Jackson?" continued tlie planter. "I'hat's what they call me," 
replied the General. "General Jackson," exclaimed the mollified 
farmer, "ride over any part of my farm you please." 

A Royal Reception to General Jackson. — "The next morning 
(September, 1862), the Confederates entered Martinsburg (W, Va.). 
Here General Jackson was welcomed with great enthusiasm and a 
large crowd hastened to the hotel to greeat him. At first he shut 
himself up in a room to write despatches, but the demonstration 
became so persistent that he ordered the door to be opened. The 
crowd, chiefly ladies, rushed in and embarrassed the General with 
every possible outburst of affection, to which he could only reply: 
'Thank you ; you're very kind.' He gave them his autograph in 
books, on scraps of paper, cut a button from his coat for a little girl, 
and then submitted patiently to an attack by the others, who soon 
stripped the coat of nearly all the remaining buttons. But when they 
looked persecutingly at his hair, which was thin, he drew the line 
there, and managed to close the interview. These blandishments did 
not delay his movements, however, for in the afternoon he was off 
again." — Col. H. K. Douglas, Vol. 2, p. 223, Battles and Leaders of 
the Civil War. 

General Jackson Did Not Want to Survive the Loss of His Coun- 
try's Independence. — General Jackson was not a fatalist. He be- 
lieved in Divine dispensations, but men had their places and their 
free wills in the accomplishment of the purposes of Omnipotence. So 
far from believing himself an instrument to secure the independence 
of the South, fixed and unalterable in the Divine plans. Jackson v.^as 
so affected once in an argument with his chief-of-staff, Rev. Dr. 
Dabney, about the meagre prospects of the South being victorious 
in the contest, that he said: 

"Stop, Major Dabney; you will make me low-spirited!" He then 
rode on, as the two were on horseback, in silence for some moments, 
and said, as though to himself : "I don't profess any romantic indif- 
ference to life; and, certainly, in my own private relations, I have as 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 83 

much that is dear to any to wish to live for as any man. But I do 
not desire to survive the independence of my country." "The words 
were uttered with a profound, pensive earnestness, which effectually 
ended the deljatc." — S. H. Mag. 

Stonewall Jackson's Photograph. — "It is the great good fortune 
of American hero-lovers that they can gaze upon the features of 
Thomas Jonathan Jackson precisely as that brilliant Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral of the Confederate States Army appeared during his masterly 
'Valley Campaign' of 1862. Few photographers dared to approach 
this man, whose silence and modesty were as deep as his m.astery of 
warfare. Jackson lived much to himself. Indeed, his plans were 
rarely known to his immediate subordinates, and herein lay the secret 
of those swift and deadly surprises that raised him to first rank among 
the world's military figures. Jackson's nobility and efficiency won the 
utter confidence of his ragged troops, and their marvellous forced 
marches, and their contempt for privations, if under his guidance, 
supplied the realization of his daring conceptions." — Pictorial History 
of the Ciznl War. 

Jackson Declines to Wear a Cap at the Bidding of His Staff. — 
After General Jackson's brilliant campaign in West Virginia and his 
coup upon McClellan on the Peninsula, everj^one in Richmond wanted 
to see the great commander. His cap was so shabby that his staff 
officers were mortified to see him appear in it. So they set about 
themselves to get a new one. Jackson was placable to the point 
of trying it on, and even to passing a favorable judgment on it, but 
there the efforts of his friends failed. Standing on the steps of the 
vState Hotel, in Richmond, he tried the new cap on and said : "Yes, 
that cap fits. I will wear it when I get ready." 

Private Louis Green, of the First Maryland, C. S. A., zvho zvas 
present zdicn the incident occurred, related this anecdote to the writer. 

How Jackson Obtained His Lemons. — A very great effort, in 
which every characteristic of his is strained to its utmost, is made, from 
time to time, to prove that General Jackson was odd in ways and man- 
ners. His custom of sucking a lemon has been called in play as one of 
the proofs of his singularity. These industrious critics fail to con- 
sider that if the roll-call of all who happen to enjoy the juice of a lemon 
for its spice, acidity, or healthfulness was made, they would find, if this 
])e a proof of lunacy, or even of oddity, that a very great number of 
individuals would come under the judicial fait of non compos mentis. 



84 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

How he obtained his lemons during the Civil War has even been 
spoken of with an air of mystery about a very natural occurrence. Mr. 
J. S. Bragonier, of Shepherdstown, W. Va., comes to the great General's 
rescue and relieves him of a part of the cloud of wonder that hangs 
about his reputation on the issue of how he obtained his lemons. This 
incident was related to him by his brother, D.H. Bragonier, who fought 
through the Civil War, in the Tenth Va. Regiment, of Infantry. After 
the second battle of Manassas, he thinks, Mr. Bragonier says he was in 
a captured car, handling eatables, much needed by the soldiers, who 
were away from their quartermaster's supplies, when General Jackson 
rode up. Mr. Bragonier asked him if he could help him to something 
to eat. The General thanked him and said: "No; but I would be 
pleased to have one of the lemons," whereupon ]\ir. Bragonier asked 
him for his haversack and filled it with lemons. After thanking him. 
General Jackson rode away. 

Stonewall Jackson Presses an Important Question Home. — On 

the morning of September 18, 1862, after' the battle of Antietam, Gen- 
eral Lee sent for Colonel Stephen and told him to report to General 
Jackson. They rode to the top of a hill on which were lying some 
caissons, broken wheels and dead men and horses. The outlook showed 
the Federal right. "Can you take fifty pieces of artillery and crush 
that force?" demanded General Jackson. 

"Colonel Stephen looked carefully at the Union ranks, marshalled 
with cannon, unlimbered for battle. He could not find himself capable 
of saying 'No'." 

"Yes, General," he answered finally. Then asked : "Where will I 
get the fifty cannon ?" 

"I can furnish you some," replied General Jackson, "and General 
Lee can furnish you some." 

"Shall I go for the guns?" asked Colonel vStephen. 

"Not yet," replied General Jackson, and charging home the important 
question once more, General Jackson asked : 

"Colonel Stephen, can you crush the Federal right with fifty guns?" 

Over and over again Colonel vStephen avoided a direct reply, and 
again and again General Jackson pressed him for a positive answer. 

At the conclusion of the parley of questions and evasions, Colonel 
Stephen reluctantly replied : 

"General, it cannot be done with fifty guns and the troops you have 
near here." 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON', LlKl'T.-OEN., C. S. A. S5 

"Let us ride back, Colonel," said General Jackson. 

Colonel Stephen repeated the conversation to General I^ee, and dur- 
ing the night, the Confederate Army recrossed the Potomac into Vir- 
ginia." — Photographic History of Civil War, \o\. 5, p. 67. 

Jackson Gives His Personal Services. — That day (January .3, 
1862 j 1 saw (Teneral Jackson get oti' his horse and put his shoulder to 
the wheel of a wagon to keep it from sliding back. — Caslers History of 
the Stoneivall Brigade, p. 74. 

Stonewall Jackson Meets With an Accident. — "However, before 
we had been in Maryland many hours, one enthusiastic citizen pre- 
sented General Jackson with a gigantic gray mare. She was a little 
heavy and awkward for a war-horse ; but, as the General's 'Little 
Sorrel' had, a few days before, been temporarily stolen, the present was 
a timelv one. and he was not disposed to look a gift horse in the mouth. 
Yet the present proved almost a Trojan to him, for the next morning 
when he mounted his new steed and touched her with his spur, the 
loval and undisciplined beast reared straight into tlie air, and, standing 
erect for a moment, threw herself backward, horse and rider rolling 
upon the ground. The General was stunned and severely bruised, and 
lay upon the ground for some time before he could be removed. He 
was then placed in an ambulance, where he rode during tlie day, having 
turned over his command to his brother-in-law. General D. H. Hill, 
the efficer next in rank." — Colonel Henry Kyd Douglas in Battles and 
Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 2, p. 620. 

Jackson's High Sense of Honor — His One Difficulty at West 
Point. — "During these four years at the Military Academy he had 
but one personal difficulty. This was caused by another cadet changing 
his uncleaned musket for Jackson's, which was always kept in perfect 
order. The trick was very soon discovered l)y the latter, whose sus- 
]jici()n fell at once upon the real culprit ; but as his gun fortunately had 
a private mark upon it, he knew it could be identified; so, after telling 
the captain of the circumstances, he quietly bided his time until that 
evening at the inspection of arms, when his clean, shining musket was 
found in the hands of the man whom he had suspected, who, when he 
was accused of the dishonorable deed, attempted to shield himself by 
telling a falsehood. Jackson, who was disgusted with the indolence and 
meanness of the cadet, declared he was a disgrace to the Academy, and 
that he would have him court-martialled and dismissed. Tt was only 



86 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

by the urgent remonstrance of cadets and professors that he could be 
induced to give up his determination. The disgrace of the 3^oung man 
overtook him, however, in a short tiem after, when he was ex- 
pelled from the Academy for violating his parole of honor." — Mrs. 
Jackson's Life of Jackson, p. 38. 

The Last Day Jackson Spent Under His Own Roof. — "He (Gen- 
eral Jackson) was accustomed to prepare himself, for the exercises of 
this school (the colored Sunday school at Lexington. Va.) by the most 
careful study of the lessons. The day before he left his home for the 
war was Saturday, and he was very busy all day long making every 
preparation to leave at a moment's warning. He paid all outstanding 
accounts, and settled up, as far as possible, his worldly affairs, while 
his devoted wife was busily plying the needle to prepare him for the 
field. At the supper table Mrs. Jackson made some remark about the 
preparations for his expected departure, when he said, with a bright 
smile : 'My dear, to-morrow is the blessed Sabbath day. it is also the 
regular communion session at our church. I hope I shall not be called 
to leave until Monday. Let us then dismiss from our conversation and 
our thoughts everything pertaining to war, and have together one more 
quiet evening of preparation for our loved Sabbath duties'."' 

"Accordingly the dark cloud of war was pushed aside. He read 
aloud to her for a while from religious magazines and newspapers, and 
then they went to their accustomed studies of the Bible lessons which 
were to be taught on the morrow to the colored Sunday School. It was 
such a happy, bright Saturday evening, as is only known in a well- 
regulated Christian home. Alas ! It has proved the last that he ever 
spent under his own roof -tree. Early the next morning a telegram 
from the Governor of the Commonwealth ordered him to march the 
corps of cadets for Richmond at 12.30 o'clock that day." — Chaplain 
Wm. Jones, S. H. Mag., Vol. 19, p. 359. 

What It Cost to Be in the Stonewall Brigade. — "I reached my 
command the next day (May, 1864) I found them in camp on Cedar 
Creek, a few miles south of Strasburg; but found no Company 'A.' 
Captain Powell had gone home, as he could not stand the service on 
account of his wound. Joseph Carder was in the hospital at Lynch- 
burg, and William Sivells had gone home to Hampshire. Elisha Card- 
er, with his drum, and I, with my musket, were all that were left of 
Company A, fit for duty (after three years of service), and I felt 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. S<7 

considerably discouraged. I was put in Company 'F\" — Caslcr's Stone- 
ivall Brigade, pp. 350-1. 

A Sentry Makes Stonewall Halt and Dismount. — Private Racey, 
of a \'irginia Regiment, was standing guard one night, alongside a 
road where the mud was ankle deep. A horseman rode up and the 
sentry challenged him. The mounted soldier, in an effort to pass with- 
out giving the counter-sign, said : "I am Stonewall Jackson." "Stone- 
wall Jackson, or not," replied the determined sentinel, "dismount and 
give the countersign." The horseman did as he was bidden, and then 
said to the sentry,-"Young man, always do this." This incident was re- 
lated to me by the Rev. Mr. Lacey, of the United Brethren ministry, 
who was the son of Private Lacey. 

General Jackson Promised to Give His Attention to Pope. — 

When General Pope had taken command of the Federal Army, it was 
observed to General Jackson that "this new general claims your atten- 
tion." "And, please God," replied Jackson, "he shall have it." A 
prediction he most amply fulfilled at the second Bull Run. 

When General Jackson had learned that General Banks, in August, 
1862, his old foe in the Valley Campaign, was in command of the 
advance of Pope's Army, he said to me (Dr. Hunter McGuire, his 
Surgeon-General) : "Banks is in front of me. Pie is always ready 
to fight," and with a laugh he concluded, as though talking to himself, 
"and he generally gets whipped." 

Banks made a splendid fight then and there — at Slaughter Mountain. 
The tides of victory were with his troops at the first, and the flying 
Confederates were only halted to stop and fight by Jackson's personal 
presence. He threw himself into the midst of the rout and by his own 
individual efforts and example stayed the flight, rallied his men, and 
won the day. 

An Old North Carolinian Makes a Verbal Onslaught on Jack- 
son. — During a march a Confederate command came to a small 
stream across the road. The run was bridged by a one-log structure, 
over which the soldiers were proceeding one at a time. At this moment 
an ofticer on horseback rode up and told the soldiers that they should 
not lose time that way, but ford the creek. Now at this period, a 
cavalryman was called a "buttermilk ranger," because, when a tired, 
hungry and thirsty infantryman would step out of ranks and betake 
himself to a neighboring farmhouse, and ask for buttermilk, and was 



88 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

informed that ''they had just given the last to a man on horseback," the 
disappointed footman would vent his wrath on the "buttermilk ranger." 
An old North Carolina soldier hearing the command of the ofiicer, 
looked up and exclaimed with indignation : "Oh, yes,, you old butter- 
milk ranger. It's well enough for you on horseback to talk that way ; 
but I'm going to cross over the log, 'cept I die." At that explosion the 
Tarheel was told that he was talking to Stonewall Jackson. He vanished 
immediately into the crowd of soldiers awaiting around the bridge 
their turn to cross. It soon became a saying amongst the soldiers 
when they were going to execute some daring event pendant in futurio, 
that they would do it " 'cept I die."- -Related to the author by Private 
Raidings, of Washington, a Confederate soldier who zvas present when 
the incident occurred. 

"Press them, Hill!" — As the darkness of night fell on the field of 
Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863, there w^as a long pause in the Con- 
federate advance as disorganized brigades were withdrawn to re-or- 
ganize. General Jackson immediately overlooked the work, and urged 
the movements forward. In his anxiety to reap the fruits of his bril- 
liant execution of the strategy' entrusted to him, he explained to Gen- 
eral Hill : "Press them, Hill ! Press them ! Cut them off from the 
United States ford!" Could that have been done, Hooker's Army, 
between Lee in its front and Jackson in its rear, would have been 
crushed. 

Jackson Was Bitter and Loyal. — Jackson had just closed a ten- 
der interview with the wounded and dying Gregg, one of his generals. 
As he and Dr. McGuire reached the Confederate headquarters, and 
were closing a conversation in which General Jackson was lamenting 
the death of such a man as his dying general and the frightful sacri- 
fices the South was making, the doctor asked him what was the best 
mode of meeting the overwhelming numbers of the Federals. General 
Jackson replied : "Kill them, sir ! kill every man !" 

Once a Friend of Jackson. — Major Dwight, of the Federal Army, 
who had been captured in the battle of Winchester, remained a prisoner 
in that town. Finding that some of the Federal wounded needed some 
'"required conveniences," says General Cooper of the Federal Army, 
the Major appealed to General Jackson, and in his appeal the Major 
told him there was an officer in the 2nd Massachusetts, "who is, I 
believe," said the Major, "an old friend of yours." "Friend of mine, 
sir?" replied old Jack, "he zvas, sir, once a friend of mine" 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LlErT.-CEN., C. S. A. 89 

Jackson at Cedar Mountain. — It was August 9. 1862. The battle 
of Cedar Mountain was on. Taliaferro's [brigade had given way 
before the assaults of the Federals. Carey's strokes on the right 
and left of Early's line were now telling, and his command commenced 
to give way. affecting the whole Confederate right half way down the 
line under Early. The Federals were driving the Confederates. Then 
says Major Dabney, Jackson's Chief-of-staff : 

"It was at this fearful moment that the genius of the storm reared 
his hand amidst the tumultuous billows, and in an instant the threat- 
ening tide was turned. Jackson appeared in the mad torrent of the 
highway, his figure instinct with majesty, and his face flaming with the 
inspiration of battle. He ordered Winder's batteries to be instantly 
withdrawn, to ])rotect them from capture, issued his summons for his 
reserves, drew his own sabre for the first time in the war, and shouted 
to his broken troops with a voice that pealed higher than the roar of 
battle, 'Rally, brave men, and press forward ! Your general will lead 
you. Jackson will lead you ! Follow me !" Fugitives, with a general 
shame, gathered around their adored general, who, rushing with a few 
score of tiiem to the front, placed them behind the fence which bor- 
dered the roadside, and received the pursuers with a deadly volley. 
They recoiled in surprise, while officers of every grade, catching the 
general fervor of their commander, fiew among their men, and in a 
moment restored the failing battle." 

Jackson Disconcerted by the Admiration of the Beauties of 
Frederick, Md. — Jackson, when in Frederick, Md., Sept. 7, 1862. 
was suffering from hurts sustained by a fall from a new horse that 
became fractious as he was mounting it at the start of the band j)laying. 
He kei)t to his tent to nurse his injuries. The crowds came to see him, 
especially the ladies. Jackson, with his ofiicial aft'airs and his bruises, 
declined to see visitors. When, howe\cr, he had gone to see Gen- 
eral Lee in his tent, two young girls besieged him, rained on him their 
smiles, and attacked him with an array oi interrogations, and tlien 
leaped into their carriage and rode (luickly away, leaving Jackson, 
hat in hand, bowing, blushing and voiceless. 

"Somewhere in France" Is Not New. — "Somewhere in France" 
is not a new military designation. It was tised in Stonewall Jackson's 
campaigns. Jackson's letters from Richmond, in accordance with his 
own instructions, bore no more explicit address than "Somewhere." 



90 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDEXTS IN 

On his way to Richmond to join Lee in his attack upon McClellan, 
Jackson ordered the utmost secrecy to cover the movement. Added 
to the ordinary precautions of an advance, the van and rear-guard 
and the side patrols and the pickets, was the command to the 
soldiers themselves that they must not ask the names of the villages 
that they passed, and were to all queries made to them, to give the 
single reply : "I do not know." 

A Texan of General Hood's command left his company and was 
making up a cherry tree, when General Jackson came by. 

"Where are you going?" asked General Jackson. 

"I don't know," answered the Texan. 

"To what command do you belong?" 

"I don't know." 

"Well, what State are you from?" 

"I don't know." 

"What is the meaning of all this?" inquired Jackson of some one 
else. 

"Well," was the reply. "Old Stonewall and General Hood gave 
orders yesterday that we were not to know anything, until after the 
next fight." 

General Jackson smiled and moved on. 

Jackson's Last Military Order. — "Shortly after he was wounded, 
and when the enemy was rushing up fresh troops. General Pender told 
him (Jackson), that his men were in such confusion that he feared he 
would not be able to hold his ground. 

" 'General Pender,' said Jackson, 'you must keep your men together, 
and hold your ground." 

"This was the last military order ever given by Jackson." — Casle/s 
History, pp. 232-3. 

Jackson's Words to His Military Successor. — "Before General 
Stuart took command of the corps (after General Jackson had re- 
ceived his fatal wound j, he saw Jackson and attempted to ascertain 
from him what his plans were." 

" 'Form your own plans, general !' said Jackson." — Caster's History, 
p. 224. 

Unavoidable Accidents Prevented Jackson From Winning Three 
Victories in One Day. — Jackson's hurry to begin the tight on Shields 



TTIE LIFE OF STONEWAIJ. JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 91 

on the south side of the south branch of the Shenandoah on the morn- 
ing of the 9th of June was due to the fact that he had intended to de- 
feat him and then re-cross the river and there to fall upon Fremont 
with his entire force. If he had been able to complete his plans, 
he would have won three battles in one day's time. The faults in the 
construction of his improvised bridge of wagons and planks over the 
South Fork of the river, and the refusal of the soldiers to march in 
liles of four on account of the insecurity of the weak construction, 
caused a loss of time that prevented Jackson from executing his well- 
laid plans. It is but just to add to these unavoida1)le difficulties that 
Jackson encountered in the l^attle, the lirave and determined resist- 
ance that the gallant Federals gave to this superior conmiander and 
his splendid soldiery. 

Jackson Had a Premonition of Victory at Port Republic. — Capt. 

McHenry Howard, of Alarlyand. on General Winder's staiT, says 
that at the time of the battle of Cross Keys, June 8, 1862, General 
Jackson said .that he would like to have the Marylanders under him, 
and about the same moment he asked his chief of staff. Dr. Dabney, a 
Presbyterian minister, "Major, wouldn't it be a blessed thing if God 
would give us a glorious victory today?" and his face lit up with the 
delight of a child's happy countenance. 

Alost of the time, while the beginning of the battle of Port Repuljlic 
w^as in progress, he stood with his cap over his eyes and his glance to 
the ground. During this brief period only two persons, says Captain 
Howard, came up to General Jackson, a courier and Chaplain Cameron. 
The only reply they made when asked was that the battle was going 
on without change. Then Captain Howard was astonished to hear Gen- 
eral Jackson say to one of his staff, "Pendleton!"' "\\'ell, sir," "W^rite 
a note to General Ewell. Say that the enemy arc defeated at all points, 
and to press them with cavalry, and, if necessary, with artillery, and 
Wheat's Battalion." Major Pendleton wrote the despatch on the 
shoulder of Captain Howard's horse. The Captain saw nothing that 
had given General Jackson information to the effect that the foe had 
been defeated. He could not have told it from the noise of battle, for 
it was stationary. Captain Howard heard the conclusion with great 
interest. About the time he could have reached General Ewell, the 
firing began to abate and soon the news practically came that the Fed- 
erals had been defeated. 



92 A THESAURUS OF ANFXDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Jackson Asked Captain Harry Gilmor for Trustworthy Couriers. 

— On the 11th of May, 1862, the Confederates were dose on the enemy. 
General Winder stopped his command," ordered the 4th Va., Colonel 
Roland, to advance so as to clear the woods. The General then came 
up and found the regiment on a backward movement. Winder asked 
the meaning of it. The reply was that they had met the enemy. 
General Winder asked why he put the regiment where he had, except 
to meet the foe? He ordered the command to be faced about and to 
advance. This command was executed. General Winder then rode 
forward and past the Virginians. Small discharges from the Federals 
followed and two of General Winder's mounted couriers f!ew to cover. 
General Winder still advanced. He and his stafif came upon a deserted 
camp of the foe, with lires still burning beneath the half-cooked food, 
the appearances all indicating that the camp had just been deserted. 
General Winder sent one of his stafif to General Jackson to tell of his 
couriers who had failed him, and to request others. The aide rode 
off and found Jackson in the road where he had just left him. Gen- 
eral Jackson, when he had had Winder's request delivered to him, 
asked: "General Winder's couriers have deserted him, ha>'e they?" 
He then asked Captain Harry Gilmor if he could send General Winder 
couriers that would not desert him. Captain Gilmor said he could, and 
when the staff officer was turning to go back to Winder, Jackson said 
to him : "Captain Howard, I will go with you," and they went off fol- 
lowed by the two couriers that gallant Harry Gilmor had sent as trust- 
worthy soldiers. Soon shells began to burst around them. When 
one exploded near them, Jackson, to Captain Howard's surprise, 
asked where the shell came from. Seeing the look of astonishment 
on the captain's face, Jackson explained that he was deaf in one ear and 
could not tell the direction of sounds. 

The party came to a steep ending of the mountain, and while the 
plan of sending a flanking force around it, was being discussed, night 
came on, and a shell from the enemy exploded near the squad of 
officers, and the officers retired and postponed the attempt. The next 
day General Jackson issued his order of congratulation to his troops 
for their victory and proclaimed a day of thanks to the Almighty for 
the triumph that He had accorded them at McDowell. 

On the afternoon of the same day the army began its backward 
movement, keeping the enemy, by Captain Sheet's vigilance, totally in 
ignorance of it. 



THE LIFK OF STON i:\VAI, L JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEX., C. S. A. 'X> 

C[ I AFTER FIFTEEN. 

ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS INDICATIVE OF JACKSON'S 

CHARACTER. 



Earthly Fame Versus Heavenly Happiness — Jackson Makes Gen- 
eral Joseph Johnson Wait for Written Orders — How Jackson Was 
Wounded at the First Bull Run — Jackson's Propensity to Sleep — 
Stonewall Jackson Rebuffed the Cordiality of Jefferson Davis — 
Jackson Did Not Like Swearing and Profanity — Jackson's Hab- 
its — Jackson's Opinion of the Volunteer — Jackson Never Advocated 
the Black Flag — Jackson's Staff Knew Nothing of His Intended 
Movements — "I Want the Brave Officers of the Enemy Killed Off" 
— Jackson, the "Wagon Hunter" — Snowstorm Did Not Deter Jack- 
son — Jackson at Molvern Hill — Jackson's Order to Ewell and 
Jackson's PersonaJ Bravery Saves a Defeat — Jackson's Opinion of 
Napoleon — Jackson Consoles an Irritated Officer — Jackson's Ad- 
miration for Early — "I Was One of the Stonewall Brigade," Jack- 
son — Jackson at the Battle of Winchester — Jackson Represses a 
Bon Mot While Pressing Banks to Winchester. 

Earthly Fame Versus Heavenly Happiness. — "I remember one 
night he (General Jackson j, was in my tent very near Charlestown, 
W. \'a. It was a bitter cold, snowy night, and he was sitting by the 
tire that I had made. He said to me : 'I would not give one-thousandth 
part of my chances for Heaven for all the earthly reputation I have or 
can make'." — Dr. Hunter McGiiirc. 

Jackson Makes Genersd Joseph Johnson Wait. — \\ hen General 
Joseph Johnson came uj) into the Shenandoah in 1861 to supersede 
Jackson, he came without any written authority from the Confederate 
Government. Jackson declined to turn the army over to him, and 
made him wait until he could get the orders from Richmond before he 
permitted him to assume command. 

How Jackson Was Wounded at the First Bull Run. — "\\ hen 

Jackson made his celebrated charge with his brigade, which turned the 
fortunes of the day, he raised his left hand above his head to en- 
courage the troops, and while in this [)osition the middle finger of his 
hand was struck just below the articulation between the first and sec- 
ond phalanges. The ball struck the finger a little to one side^ broke it, 



94 A THESAURt'S OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

and carried off a small piece of the bone. lie remained upon the 
field wounded as he was till the fight was over, and then wanted to 
take part in the pursuit, but was peremptorily ordered back to the 
hospital by the general commanding. On his way to the rear the wound 
pained him so much that he stopped at the first hospital he came to, 
and the surgeon there proposed to cut the finger off; but while the 
doctor looked for his instruments and for a moment turned his back,, 
the General silently mounted his horse and rode off, and soon after- 
wards found me. 

"I was busily engaged with the wounded, but when I saw him coming- 
I left them and asked if he was seriously hurt, 'No,' he answered, 
'not half as badly as many here, and I will wait.' And he forthwith 
sat down on the bank of a little stream near by and positively declined 
any assistance until 'his turn came.' We compromised, however, and 
he agreed to let me attend to him after I had finished the case I was 
dressing when he arrived. 1 determined to save the finger if possible, 
and placed a splint along the palmar surface to support the fragments, 
retained it in position by a strip or two of adhesive plaster, covered the 
wound with lint, and told him to keep it wet with cold water. He 
carefully followed this advice. I think he had a fancy for this kind 
of hydropathic treatment, and I have frequently seen him occupied for 
several hours pouring cup after cup of water over his hand with that 
patience and perseverance for which he was so remarkable. Passive 
motion was instituted about the twentieth day and carefully continued. 
The motion of the joint improved for several months after the wound 
had healed, and in the end the deformity was very trifling." — Dr. 
Hunter McGuire. 

Jackson's Propensity to Sleep. — "Talking about Jackson's pro- 
pensity to sleep, I remember after the battles of the Seven Days' Fight 
around Richmond one Sunday we went to Dr. Hoge's church. He went 
to sleep soon after the service began and slept through the greater 
part of it. A man who can go to sleep under Dr. Hoge's preaching, 
can go to sleep anywhere on the face of this earth. When the service 
was over the people climbed over the backs of the pews to get near 
him, and the aisles became crowded and General Jackson embarrassed. 
Presently he turned to me and said : 'Doctor, didn't you say the horses 
Avere ready?' and I said, 'Yes, sir,' and we bolted out of church. 

"Many a night I have kept him on his horse by holding to his coat- 
tail. He always promised to do as much for me when he had finished 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEX., C. S. A. 95 

his nap. He meant to do it, I am sure, hut my turn never came."-- 
Dr. Hunter McGuirc. 

Stonewall Jackson Rebuffed the Cordiality of Jefferson Davis. — 

Referring to General Jackson and Jefferson Davis' meeting on the 
day of the first battle of Bull Run, Dr. Hunter McGuire says that — 

"The next time he saw President Davis, was at Poindexter House, 
Richmond, after the battle of Malvern Hill. I had gone in the room 
to get some information from General Jackson after McClellan had 
retreated from Malvern PI ill to Harrison's Landing, when I found in 
the room ^ee, L ongstreet and J_ackson, looking over some maps spread 
on the dining-room table. After a while President Davis came in. 
General Lee greeted him very warmly. 'Why, President,' he said, 'I 
am delighted to see you,' and the meeting was very cordial. After he 
had finished shaking hands with General Lee, he turned to General 
Longstreet, and his greeting here was just as cordial as with General 
Lee. He then turned and looked, as one may say, interrogatively at 
General Jackson, 

"When Mr. Davis first entered the rocxn I recognized him and told 
General Jackson who he was. General Jackson believed that during 
the campaign through Bath and Romney with General Loring, Presi- 
dent Davis had treated him badly. Indeed, the treatment that Gen- 
eral Jackson received from Mr. Davis on that occasion, made him re- 
sign his commission, and this resignation was only prevented from 
going into effect by the very strenuous efforts of Governor Letcher. 
There were other things that made Jackson think that Mr. Davis had 
treated him unfairly. He had made some men whom Jackson ranked, 
outrank him as lieutenant-general, and there were many other circum- 
tances which caused Jackson to feel rather resentful towards Mr. 
Davis, so, when I told him who the visitor was, he stood bolt upright 
like a corporal on guard, looking at Mr. Davis. Not a muscle in his 
body moved. General Lee, seeing that Mr. Davis didn't know Gen- 
eral Jackson, said : 'Why, President, don't you know Stonewall Jack- 
son? This is our Stonewall Jackson.' Mr. Davis started to greet him 
evidently as warmly as those he had just left, but the appearance of 
Jackson stopped him, and when he got about a yard Mr. Davis halted 
and Jackson immediately brought his hand up to the side of his head in 
military salute. Mr. Davis lx)wed and went back to the other company 
in the room. 



96 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"The next time he had any communication witli Mr. Davis was when 
he was dying. It was alx)ut midday on Sunday when I received a tele- 
gram from President Davis asking me to tell him how General Jackson 
was and sending some exceedingly kind and courteous messages to 
him. I sat down on the bed and read him this telegram. J. Randolph 
Tucker, who was helping to nurse the General, was in the room at the 
time. There was a silence for a few seconds afterward, and then he 
turned to me and said : 'Tell Mr. Davis I thank him — he is very- 
kind'. "^Dr. Hunter McGuirc, Snrgcon-Gcncral of Jackson's Army, in 
the Richmond Dispatch, of July 19, 1891. 

Jackson Did Not Like Swearing and Profanity. — "Coarseness and 
vulgarity from anybody under any circumstances, he (Jackson) would 
not brook. Swearing jarred upon him terribly and he generally re- 
proved the man. Under some circimi stances I have seen him forgive it 
or not notice it. I remember when the gallant General Trimble was a 
brigadier-general, he expected and thought he ought to be made a 
major-general ; but when the appointments came out he was disap- 
pointed. I heard him talking about it to General Jackson one night. 
The old General was wrought up into a state of great indignation from 
his disappointment, and turning to General Jackson he said : 'By God, 
General Jackson, 1 will be a Major-General or a corpse before this war 
is over.' Whatever General Jackson thought he made no reproof. 

"I was once attending Major Harman, who was chief quartermaster. 
He was very sick for a day or two. General Jackson v/as anxious about 
him. One day in coming out of Harman's quarters, I met the General, 
who was standing, waiting to see me. He said : 'Doctor, how is 
Harman today?' 1 said, 'He must be better, for he is swearing again.' 
General Jackson gave Harman such a lecture next day that Colonel 
Pendleton advised me to keep out of Harman's way, as he swore he 
was going to shoot me. 

"He caught Lindsay Walker swearing once under circumstances that 
he did not reprove him. It was at Cedar Run. The left wing of our 
army was commanded by Winder, and soon after the engagement be- 
gan Winder was killed, and our troops on that side were pushed so 
hard that they brokx and ran. General Walker had his battalion of 
artillery in the road ; it was impossible to turn them around and get 
them out of the way, and they were in great danger of being captured. 
So Walker tried to rally the men and form a new line of battle. He 
would get a few men together, leave them to rally some others, and 



THE LIFE OF STONEVVArX JACKSON, LIEUT.-CEN., C. S. A. 97 

find that his first squad was gone. He was swearing outrageously, lie 
had his long sword out and was riding up and down tiie little strag- 
gling line that he had when Jackson rode up. The latter had seen the 
disaster from his point of observation, and had come over to correct 
it if ix>ssible. On his way he ordered the Stonewall Brigade, which had 
been left in reserve, at a 'double quick.' but rode on in front of them 
to the scene of trouble. He had lost his hat in the woods, and had his 
sword out. It was the only time I ever saw him with his sword out 
in battle. As soon as \\^alker saw him he stopped swearing, (icneral 
Jackson, apparently, simply conscious that Walker was using his efforts 
to rally the men. said: 'That's right. General; give it to them.' Gen- 
eral Walker continued his work in his own way. 

"I was one day moving some wounded from the church at Ir'ort Re- 
public, men who had been hurt when Ashby was killed, just before the 
battle of I'ort Republic, when the enemy sent two pieces of artillery 
up to the town and began shelling the village. They fired at the 
church steeple as the most prominent point, and it was difficult to make 
the wagoners and ambulance drivers wait imtil the woimded were put 
in the conveyances. I was riding up and down the line of wagons and 
ambulances, swearing at the men in a right lively manner. I did not 
know that General Jackson was within a mile or two of me, when I 
felt his hand upon my shoulder and he quietly asked me : 'Doctor, 
don't you think you could get along without swearing?' I told him I 
would try, but I did not know whether 1 would accomplish it or not." 
Dr. Hunter McGuire. 

Jackson's Habits. — "His (Jackson's) habits of life were very 
simple. He preferred plain, simple food and generally ate right heartily 
of it. Corn bread and butter and milk always satisfied him. He used 
no tobacco and rarely ever drank whiskey or wine. One bitter cold 
night at Dam No. 5, on the Potomac River, when we could light no 
fire because of the proximity of the enemy. I gave him a drink of 
whiskey. He made a wry face in swallowing it, and I said to him : 
'Isn't the whiskey good?' He answered: 'Yes, very; I like it, and 
that's the reason I don't drink it'." — Dr. Hunter McGuire. 

Jackson's Opinion of the Volunteer. — "Jackson knew the value 
of the Southern volunteer better and sooner (as I believe), than any 
other of our great leaders. When General Johnston took charge at 
Harper's Ferry, the general's staflf went with the command. One day 
when the 2nd X'irginia Regiment, composed of men from my county, 



98 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

marched by, I said to him : 'If these men of the 2nd Virginia will not 
fight, you have no troops that will.' He expressed the prevalent, but 
afterward changed, opinion of that early day in his reply, saying: 'I 
would not give one company of regulars for the whole regiment.' 
When I returned to General Jackson's staff I had occasion to quote to 
him General Johnston's opinion. 'Did he say that?' he asked. 'And 
of those splendid men ?' And then he added : 'Tlie patriotic volunteer, 
fighting for his country and his rights, makes the most reliable soldier 
on earth'." — Dr. Hunter McGuire. 

Jackson Never Advocated the Black Flag. — Dr. Hunter McGuire, 
Jackson's Surgeon-General, says of Jackson : 

"He talked to me several times about the 'Black Flag,' and wondered 
if in the end it would not result in less sufifering and loss of life, but 
he never advocated it. 

"A sad incident of the battle of Fredericksburg stirred him very 
deeply. As we stood that night at our camp waiting for some one to 
take our horses, he looked up at the sky for a moment and said : 'How 
horrible is war.' I replied, 'Yes, horrible, but what can we do? These 
people at the North, without any warrant of law, have invaded our 
country, stolen our property, insulted our defenceless women, hung 
and imprisoned our kelpless old men, behaved in many cases like an 
organized band of cut-throats and robbers. What can we do?' 'Do?' 
he answered, and his voice was ringing, 'do? why shoot them'." 

Jackson's Staff Knew Nothing of His Intended Movements. — 
"Captain James Power Smith, of Jackson's staff, went, one day when it 
seemed evident that Jackson was about to join Lee. and said : 'As we 
are going to cross the mountains. General, I should like very much to 
ride back to Winchester to attend to some matters of im.portance to 
me personally, if you can give me a permit.' 

" 'Certainly, I will give you the permit,' was the reply 'and if we 
cross the mountains you will be able to overtake us to-morrow.' 

"Captain Smith rode into Winchester, and started early the next 
morning to overtake, as he supposed, the moving column He had 
only ridden several miles when he met Jackson at the head of hi§ 
corps coming back to Winchester, and was greeted by the salutation, 'I 
suppose, Mr. Smith, that you are on your way across the mountains'." 
Chaplain J. Wm. Jones, C. S. A., South Hist. Mag., Vol. 35, p. 88. 

"I Want the Brave Officers of the Enemy Killed Off."— There 
have been printed two or more accounts of General Jackson's statement 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAI.L JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 99 

that he "wanted the brave officers of the enemy killed oft." Colonel 
Edwin L. Hobson, of the 5th Alabama Regiment, gives the correct 
version. It is : 

"The occurrence was at the battle of South Mountain, September 
14, 1862; Colonel, then Major, Hob.son was in command of the 5th 
Alabama, Rode's Brigade. Colonel John B. Gordon had been placed 
by General D. H. Hill, the division commander, to prevent a flank 
movement by the enemy. The enemy was steadily advancing on the 
line of Rode's, and, at a distance of 100 yards, menaced a charge. An 
officer, mounted on a white horse in front, was impetuously urging 
them onward. 

"The potent incident was manifest to Major Hobson, and in the 
crisis, he felt the necessity of removing the officer. He at once selected 
skilled riflemen to 'pick him off.' This was unerringly done, and at his 
fall the enemy hesitated, were checked, and the forttmes of the day 
were changed. 

"Subsequently, and not long before the battle of Sharpsburg (some 
comment having been made on the sacrifice of the gallant officer), 
states Colonel Hobson, an officer from General Jackson came to him 
with the 'compliments' of General Jackson and the message : 'Tell 
Major Hobson, I want the brave offi.cers of the enemy killed off. Their 
death insures our success. Cowards are never in the front ; the skulkers 
{iee':'—Soiit!ieni Hist. Mar/., Vol. 25, p. 105. 

Jackson, "the Wagon Hunter." — "Jackson, 'the wagon hunter,' 
never gave up one after it came into his possession. If a tire 
came off a wagon, he would stop the ivhole train and wait for it to be 
fixed on, and left the 'rear-guard' hold its position. A man who never 
served in the cavalry under Jackson, knows little of what was required 
of them. We skirmished all day and half the night, retiring en echelon. 
There was one eternal picking at each other. The artillery wotild seize 
a position and hold it as long as they could, and then fall back to an- 
other, covered by the cavalry. I do not believe the world has ever 
produced a grander, braver, nobler band of patriots than the artillery 
in the Army of Northern Virginia." — General T. T. Munford, Com- 
mander of the Caralrx in Jackson's Corps. Southern Mag., Vol. 7, 
p. 526. 

Snowstorms Did Not Deter Jackson. — "General Lee sent Jack- 
son, by Captain Smith, a message to the effect that he would be glad if 



100 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

he would call at his headquarters the first time he rode in that direction, 
but that it was a matter of no pressing importance, and he must not 
trouble himself about it. 

"When Jackson received this message he said : 'I will go early in the 
morning, Captain Smith. I wish you to go with me.' 

"The next morning when Captain Smith looked out he saw that a 
fearful snowstorm was raging, and took it for granted that Jackson 
would not undertake to ride fourteen miles to General I^ee's head- 
quarters through that blizzard. 

"Very soon, however. Captain Smith's servant came to say: 'The 
General done got his breakfast, and is almost ready to start.' 

"Hurrying his preparations, the young aide galloped after his chief 
through the raging storm. On reaching Lee's quarters, the general 
greeted him with, 'Why, what is the matter, general ; have those people 
crossed the river again?' 

" 'No, sir, but you sent me word that you wished to see me.' 

" 'But I hope that Captain Smith told you that I said it was not a 

matter of importance, and that you must not trouble yourself about it. 

I had no idea of your coming such weather as this'." 
Bowing his head, Jackson gave the emphatic reply : 
" 'General Lee's slightest wish is a supreme order to mC; and I 

always try to obey it promptly'." — Chaplain J . JVm. Jones. C. S. A., 

South Hist. Mag., Vol. 35, p. 90. 

Jackson's Order at Malvern Hill. — Jackson sent an order to one 
of his officers, in the afternoon at Malvern Hill, to advance across the 
open space in front of the Federal works and attack them. The 
officer in question hurried to Jackson, and said almost rudely ; 

"Did you order me to advance over that field, sir?" 

Jackson's eyes flashed under the rim of his cap, and, in his briefest 
tones, he said : 

"Yes." 

"Impossible, sir," exclaimed the officer, 'my men will be annihilated. 
Nothing can live here. They will be annihilated." 

Jackson listened in silence, but his face grew cold and rigid with 
displeasure. He gazed steadily for a moment at the speaker, raised his 
finger, and in low brief tones said : 

"General , I have always endeavored to take care of my 

wounded and to bury my dead. You have heard my order — obey it." 



THE LIFE t)F STONEWAIJ, JACKSON, I.IEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 101 

These words admit ted of no rei)ly, and the order was carried out. 
The officer who relates the incident declares that he has never before 
or since seen such an expression as that which burned in the eye of 
Jackson, as he uttered the above words. Me looked "dangerous and 
that admonition closed the inter\icw." — Stone-wall Jackson, by John 
Hstoi Cooke, p. 248. 

Jackson's Order to Ewell and Jackson's Own Personal Bravery 
Saved the Confederates From Defeat. — "it was this order that won 
the day despite the gallant defense. 

"I chanced to be near and heard the order he gave Early at Cedar 
Run (Slaughter's Mountain), in the light with our old friend. General 
Banks ('Stonewall Jackson's Quartermaster, our men facetiously called 
him), \yho commanded the advance of General Pope's Army. We 
had been skirmishing all the morning, and Colonel Pendleton, of Jack- 
son's staff, rode up to (^leneral Early, and said that he nm.st advance 
on the enemy, and he will be supported by General Winder.' 

"Grim old Early replied in his curtest tones : 'Give my compliments 
to General Jackson, and tell him T will do it.' 

"It was on this field that several of Jackson's Brigades were broken, 
and it looked as if Banks was about to win, when Jackson dashed in 
among them, and rallied the confused ranks by exclaiming, 'Rally on 
your colors, and let your general lead you to victory. Jackson will 
lead you.' His presence acted like magic, the broken troops were ral- 
lied, the lines resorted, and the victory won." — Chaplain J. IVm. Jones, 
C. S. A., South Hist. Mag., Vo\. 25, p. 93. 

Jackson's Opinion of Napoleon. — "In listening to Jackson talk- 
ing of Napoleon [jonaparte, as I often did, I was struck with the fact 
that he regarded him as the greatest general that ever lived. One day 
I asked him something about Waterloo. He had been o\er the field, 
inspecting the ground, and spent several days studying the field of 
battle. I asked him who had shown the greater generalship of these. 
Napoleon or Wellington ? He said, 'Decidedly. Napoleon.' I said. 
'Well, why was he whipped, then?' He replied. 'I can only explam it 
by telling you that I think God intended him to stop right there'." — Dr. 
Hunter McGuire. 

General Jackson Consoles an Irritated Officer. — General George 
Steuart and Captain Elijah \'. White, commander of "WHiite's Battal- 
ion," became involved in a military difficulty in the campaign of 1862 



102 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

in Maryland, because the General was determined to send Captain 
White on duty in Virginia, while the Captain, being a Marylander, 
wanted to be in Maryland during the occupation there. The matter 
was brought to the attention of General Lee. "Arrived there/' states 
Lieutenant Myers, "General Steuart passed in. and White saw^ Gen- 
eral Jackson was also there. 

"General Lee met White at the door and asked him his business, 
when the Captain replied : 'I want to see you, sir.' 'Very well,' said 
the General, 'just wait a little and I'll see you.' 

"Pretty soon General Jackson came out and approached White, who 
was walking in front of headquarters, and actually was so much excited 
over what he considered the injustice of General Steuart, that he was 
crying, 

" 'Stonewall', asked him his difficulty, and was told that Steuart 
wanted to send him back to Loudoun, and he didn't want to go. The 
General appeared surprised, and remarked, 'Why, I just heard General 
Steuart tell General Lee that you desired to be sent hack, and recom- 
mended that it be done.' 

"At this the Captain tried to tell General Jackson that it was not so, 
but before he could explain, his feelings so overcame him that he com- 
pletely choked down and could not say anything. 

"Presently, General Jackson, said, 'Captain White, I think I can 
understand your feelings, for I was once situated just as you are now. 
During the Mexican War I was ordered to the rear just as a battle was 
about to take place, and I knew of no reason why I should be so un- 
justly treated ; but I obeyed, and it so happened by doing so I had an 
opportunity to acquire distinction that I never could have had in front. 
And, captain, my advice to you is to obey orders, no matter how unjust 
they may be. We are poor, short-sighted creatures, at best, and in the 
very thing that seems hardest for us to bear. Providence may have 
hidden a rich blessing for us. Go, Captain, and obey orders.' 

"White says he knew General Jackson was too good a man for him to 
talk to, and, consequently, he made no reply. But General Steuart now 
came out and calling him to his side, said, 'Captain White, did you 
say you were a INIarylander?' 'Yes, sir,' said White. 'Ah!' said the 
General, 'I didn't know that. General Lee wants you. Go in and 
see him.' 

"As may be supposed, the Captain lost no time in appearing in the 
presence of the Commanding General, and his orders were to scout 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 103 

towards Harper's Ferry, and report to General Lee. This meant that 
for the present he was free from the spite of Steuart." — IVhitc's Bat- 
talion — "The Comanchcs;' pp. 108-9. 

Jackson's Admiration for Early. — The author is indel)tcd for this 
incident to an interview with Dr. Hunter McGuire, published in the 
Richmond Dispatch, of July 19th, 1891 : 

"There was a story in the army about General Early, for whose sol- 
dierly qualifications Jackson had great admiration. In the winter of 
1862 and 1863, Early had command of the troops low down on the 
Rappahannock River. He had some guns on a high embankment 
trained to shoot at the enemy's gunboats if they made their appearance 
a mile or two down the river. The muzzles of the guns were lifted very 
high in order to carry a ball that far. It was told in camp that Early 
one day while inspecting the guns found a soldier sighting one of them 
which pointed to the top of a tree in the neighborhood. After sight- 
ing it for some time and very carefully, he turned to General Early and 
asked him. 'if there was any squirrel up that tree?' It was said that 
the atmosphere was blue around there for a little while in conse- 
quence of General Early's reply. Whether the incident was true, or 
no, I don't know ; but I know General Jackson enjoyed the story very 
much." 

"I Was One of the Stonewall Brigade." — From Dr. Hunter 
McGuire: "After he (Jackson) was wounded at ChanccUorsville, 
and when I spoke to him of the death of General Paxton and the 
remarkable behavior of the Stonewall Brigade on the field the 
day before, he said: 'The men who belonged to that brigade will 
some day be proud to say to their children. "I was one of the 
Stonewall Brigade."'" 

Jackson at the Battle of Winchester. — On the morning of the 
twenty-fifth of May. while the battle of Winchester was in prog- 
ress, General Jackson rode up to the front, accompanied by Colonel 
Campbell. Colonel Paxton, of the Twenty-first Virginia, and 
Colonel Grigsly, of the Twenty-seventh Virginia, were there on 
foot. A shower of grape and niinnie balls greeted them. Camp- 
bell was wounded. Grigsly had a hole shot through his sleeve and 
exploded in some ugly words about his foes. General Jackson at 
this point said to Colonel Patton, commanding the Stonewall Bri- 
gade : "I expect the enemy to occupy the hill in your front with 



104 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

artillery; keep your brigade well in hand with a vigilant watch, 
and if such an attempt is made, it must not be done, sir; clamp 
them on the spot." As soon as Jackson had satisfied himself as 
to the enemy's disposition, he turned his horse and quietly rode 
back. On getting to the road, he called for Taylor's Brigade, and 
led them in person to their position. The road ran here through 
a deep cut that screened the movement from the enemy. He gave 
General Taylor his order. Taylor says in his book he replied, and 
added: "You had better go to the rear, if you go along the front 
in this way some damned Yankee will shoot you '' 

He says General Jackson rode back to him and said: "General. 
I am afraid you are a wicked fellow ; l;)ut I know you will do your 
duty" 

Taylor formed his brigade in the road about 200 or 300 yards 
to our left. We were on his flank and could see nearly the whole 
of his advance. When the order to forward was given, the men 
scrambled up the bank as best they could. General Taylor found 
a way to ride and when the men lined up at the top, he was 
mounted and in their front. He rode up and down the line seeing 
that it was properly formed and then he rode in front, drew his 
sword, called the line to attention and ordered them to forward, 
march. Every man stepped ofif with his left foot, and were touch- 
ing elbow to elbow, the line nearl)- perfect. His march was through 
an open field, a gentle rise to the top of a long hill. About midway 
was the same stone wall that ran in our front ; it extended beyond 
Taylor's left ; the whole was occupied by the enemy, and beyond 
were two batteries of artillery. As soon as Jackson saw that 
Taylor had commenced the advance, he rode back to the hillock 
in our front to watch the effect of Taylor's attack. 

The enemy poured grape and canister into Taylor's line soon 
as it got in sight. General Taylor rode in front of his brigade, 
drawn sword in hand, occasionaly turning his horse, at other 
times turning in the saddle to see that his line was up. They 
marched up the hill in perfect order, not firing a shot. On getting 
about half-way to the Yankees, he gave the order, "Forward ! 
Double quick ! Charge !" in a loud and commanding voice that 
could be heard over nearly the entire battlefield. With a yell and 
a rush, over the wall thev go, and the enemv are runninsr. At 



TIIK LIFE OF STONi:VVAI,r. JACKSON, r.IEUT.-C.F.N.. C. S. A. 105 

the same time General Jackson ^ave the command in that sharp, 
crisp way of his, "After the eneni}-, men." Our whole line moves 
forward on a run, the enemy ran and broke in all directions, the 
Rockbridge Artillery men jump to their pieces and give them a 
parting salute. 

That charge of Taylor's was the grandest I ever saw during 
the war ; officers, tile closers and every man was in his proper place. 
There was all the pomp and circumstance of war about it, that 
was always lacking in our charges, not that it was more effective 
than those of the old rebel yell, where most of the men would 
race to be the foremost. — irrittcii by a Confederate veteran, zvho took 
if from his weekly notes, "taken on the spot," and published in the! 
Southern Historical Society, Vol. 38, pp. 331-2. 

Jackson Represses a Bon Mot Pressing Banks to Winchester. — 

"To give countenance to this quartermaster," said General Ta}lor. 
who rode by Jackson's side, "if such can be given in a dark night, 
I remarked, jocosely, 'Never mind the wagons ; there are. quanti- 
ties of stores in Winchester, and General Jackson has invited me 
to breakfast there with him tomorrow.' 

"Jackson, who had no more capacity for jests than a Scotchman, 
took this seriously, and reached out to touch me on the arm." 



106 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 



THE DIPLOMACY OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Jackson^s Directness Combined With His Diplomacy — The Sense 
of the Humorous in General Jackson — Jackson's Astuteness as a 
Diplomat — Jackson Nonplussed — Young Girls Wave the Stars and 
Stripes in Jackson's Face. 

Jackson's Directness Combined With His Diplomacy. — General 
Bradley T. Johnson, of Maryland, in May, 1861, when Stonewall 
Jackson was then a colonel in the Confederate Army, went down 
to Harper's Ferry to see Jackson and to offer himself and a com- 
pany of men from Frederick, Md., to the Confederacy. Jackson 
listened for an hour, but never broke a careful silence with a word. 
General Johnson says : 

4 "Two days after this interview, May 8th, General Johnson moved 
to Virginia, and, with General J. R. Trimble, a West Pointer and 
a man of high talents, who became a major general afterwards, 
they together went to see Colonel Jackson. General Johnson says 
that, being verdant in matters of military affairs at that time, he 
kept silent, not daring to ask questions of his superior officers. 
Not so with General Trimble. He discussed all the points of the 
country as to their relative value for defense. General Jackson 
answered never a word. General Trimble had been an engineer 
on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and General Johnson says his 
conversation was very instructive to him. Finally, General Trim- 
ble asked General Jackson as the culmination of his dissertation: 
'How many men have you here present for duty ?' Jackson said, 
without a modulation of his voice, as if he were answering the 
most commonplace, instead of the most astounding, question ever 
put to a commanding officer by an outsider : 'We never tell that.' 
That was all. It was not as deep as a well, nor as wide as a barn 
door, but it was sufficient, and the conversation stopped there, and 
we left." 

The Sense of the Humorous In General Jackson. — General Jack- 
son could use to good advantage the strong sense of the humorous 
that was latent in his nature. In the winter of 1862 the General 
was, with his wife, boarding Avith the familv of the Rev. Dr. Gra- 



THE UFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 107 

ham, of Winchester, Va. The General would never discuss matters 
connected with the Confederate Army, and when the question was 
asked him that brought the subject up, he would invariably give 
an evasive or unsatisfactory reply. A lady who was present when 
one of these interrogatories was put to General Jackson, under- 
took to secure a more direct answer than the General had given. 
Jackson turned to her with a quizzical look and a smile in which 
humor and seriousness were strangely blended, and in tones which 
precluded the possibility of offence being taken, he said: "Mrs. 

, I'll have to say to you as the schoolboys sometimes say, 

'Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.' " From that hour. 
Mr. Graham states, a thorough understanding was established as 
to what topics were to be avoided. 

General Jackson's Astuteness as a Diplomat. — In September, 
1862, Gen. Bradley T. Johnson was in Richmond, and was asked by 
Mr. Seldon, the Confederate Secretar}' of War, to escort three English 
gentlemen of note, who had brought letters of introduction to Presi- 
dent Davis, General Lee and the Confederate government, to the 
Army. The government desired to give them special attention, and 
General Jackson was requested to take them to General Lee's head- 
quartrs, which he did. They were Mr. Lawley, correspondent of the 
London Times; Mr. Vizatelli, correspondent of the Illustrated Nezvs, 
and Major Garnet Wolseley, on furlough from his regiment in 
Canada. Later he was commander-in-chief of the English Army. 
After the call had been made on General Lee, by his orders, General 
Johnson took the party over to be introduced to General Jackson. 
He took up the conversation. He bad visited England and was greatly 
interested in the architecture of the Cathedral of Durham and the 
history of the Bishopric of that diocese. The General examined his 
guests with clearness and interest on the building and the rights of 
the Bishop. He showed such knowledge of the subject in hand that 
the Englishmen were surprised, for he knew more than they did of 
the subjects. 

As the quartette rode away. General Johnson said to his guests: 
"Gentlemen, you have disclosed Jackson in a new character to me, and 
I have been carefully observing him for a year and a half. You have 
made him exhibit — finesse, for he did all the talking to keep you from 
asking too curious or embarrassing questions. He did not want to 
say anything, so he did all the talking. I never saw anything like it in 



108 A THESAURUS OF ANECDO'TCS OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

him before." Everybody laughed at this and concurred in General 
Johnson's opinion that General Jackson "had been too much for the 
interviewers." 

Stonewall Jackson Nonplussed. — During the campaign of the 
autumn of 1862, when Jackson was at Alartinsburg, West Virginia, 
an enthusiastic admirer of General Jackson threw her silk scarf in the 
road before Jackson's horse. The General was embarrassed. He did 
not know what it portended. "She means." said his aide, Major Henry 
Kyd Douglas, "that she wants you to ride over it." 

How Jackson Treated Young Girls Who Waved the Stars and 
Bars in His Face. — -When General Jackson was in Maryland, in 
September, 1862, he rode out into the Middletown Valley, north of 
Frederick city. As he and his aide. IMajor Kyd Douglas, approached 
Middletown, two young girls ran into the roadside, and each waved the 
Stars and Stripes in the face of the twain. General Jackson's only 
notice of the incident was to observe to his escort : "It is evident that 
we have no friends in this place." Apropos of that remarkable "historic 
lie," regarding Barbara Fritchie and Jackson, Major Douglas says he 
was with General Jackson every minute that he was in Frederick City, 
Md., and that no such incident as has been alleged about Jackson and 
Barbara Fritchie occurred, and, furthermore, General Jackson did not 
go on the street where Barbara lived. Barbara's nephew joins the 
witnesses against the truth of the report and adds to the proof that this 
slanderous allegation never had a form or being in fact. This relative, 
in a written statement early after the report was first put forth, stated 
that at the time of the alleged occu'-rence of the flag waving and Jack- 
son's action in regard to it, his venerable aunt was a palsied invalid in 
bed. 



TIIK LIFE OK STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 109 

chaptf:r seventeen. 



STONEWALL JACKSON ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. 



Jackson in and After the Battle — Jackson Fought Foes With 
Unloaded Guns — Jackson's Order to "Fire" at the First Bull Run — 
Jackson Gives Praise in Battle for a Good Shot — "Let Them Sweep 
the Field With the Bayonet," Jackson — Jackson and Staff Capture 
a Squad of Federal Pickets — In Pope's Rear — General Jackson 
Aroused — Jackson Gives an Order to a Federal Battery — The Sur- 
render of Harper's Ferry, September 15, 1862 — Jackson Draws His 
Sword at Slaughter Mountain — "They Have Done Their Worst," 
Jackson at Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862 — The Attack of Jackson 
at Chancellorsville on the Federal Flank. 

Jackson in and After the Battle. — "\\'hile the battle raged, he 
sat oil his horse unmoved in the very front of danger; but, ^\■hen the 
crisis was past and he could be spared from the field, c\"en though 
the thunders were still rolling in the distance, he rode back with the 
tension of his mind relaxed, and, entering his tent, 'shut to his door,' 
and calmed his spirit in the presence of God." — /. H. Field's Intro- 
duction to His Life of Jackson, p. 16. 

Jackson Fought Foes With Unloaded Guns. — "The valley region 
will long be alive with the traditions of this great flank movement, 
(that which, eluded Patterson's Army and which took Jackson to the 
First Manassas), and the spirit exhibited by the men. They had so 
often formed line of battle in front of Patterson, only to retire after- 
wards without fighting, that the troops nearly broke out in open 
murmurs against their commander. They did not know that fre- 
quently, when his bristling guns threatened the foe with their grim 
muzzles from every hillock, these guns were ivithout a single round 
of ammunition, and that no one could be more disappointed at the 
necessity which existed for retiring, tlian their general. Now. how- 
ever, when the order for a rapid march came, the troops perceived in 
the air, so to speak, the long-looked-for order of battle. They snuffed 
it up eagerly, and went on their way actually dancing for joy. and 
with deafening cheers." — A Virc/inian's Life of Jackson, p. 26. 

Jackson's Order to Fire at the First Bull Run July 21, 1861. 

Time, 2:45 P. M. Riding to the front and centre of his line, where 



110 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

the 2nd and 4th Virginia Regiments were posted, General Jackson 
exclaimed : "Reserve your fire till they come within fifty yards, then 
fire and give them the bayonet ; and when you charge yell like furies." 

The Federal hosts came on. The Virginians rose from the earth 
and gave a roaring discharge into the Federal lines, and then charged 
across the hill. Kirby Smith's command, at the same time, assailed 
the Federal forces, while Beauregard gave the order for a general 
advance, Bee's, Evans's and Wade Hampton's men, recovering their 
grip, joining in the forward movement. The Federals gave way and 
the First Bull Run became a Confederate victory. 

Jackson Gives Praise in Battle for a Good Shot. — "Our first shot 
(at the Battle at Kernstown, March 23, 1862) was witnessed, from 
a nearby position, by General Jackson, who, upon seeing it crash 
through the door of an old barn crowded with Federal soldiers and 
scatter them pell-mell to the four winds, exclaimed, 'Good, good!' 
greatly to the pride and joy of all present." — Fonerden's History of 
Carpenter's Battery, p. 20. 

"Let Them Sweep the Field With the Bayonet." — Jackson's 
Corps was now on the Peninsula, June 27, 1862. The phenomenal 
campaign in the Shenandoah Valley had made this indispensable aid 
to Lee possible. It was at McGehee's Hill. Jackson's brigades were 
advancing into battle. Jackson gave his commanders of divisions this 
final command : "Tell them," as he despatched his order, "this afl:'air 
must hang in suspense no longer ; let them sweep the field with tlie 
bayonet." Before this message was deli\'ered the Confederates had 
emerged from the timljer about them and from every section of the 
field they centered in the plain about them. A general forv;ard move- 
ment had been ordered by Lee, and as the grey lines pressed forward 
the cry went up, "The Valley men are here," and with ^'Stonewall" 
Jackson's magic name as their battle cry, the soldiers of Lee dashed 
through the glen and gulch. Hill's, A. P. Longstreet's and D. H. 
Hill's divisions were there, and the Confederate colors floated over 
the ramparts that the Federals had abandoned. 

The Federal soldiers gathered in small detachments and tried to 
stem the onward current, but it was in vain. The Regulars of the 
Federal Army sustained the best of this gallant body's traditions, 
holding on to veritable lost ground, three squadrons of 5th U. S- 
Cavalry making a splendid charge, in the face of the triumphant Con- 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. Ill 

federates, seeing six out of seven oftlcers fall. Everywhere the Regu- 
lars made an efl"ort to save the day. 

Jackson and Staff Capture a Squad of Federal Pickets. — On June 
27, 1862, after the Battle of McGehee's Hill, during the darkness 
of the evening, General Jackson and his staff rode unexpectedly into 
the Federal picket. Believing that the foe was demoralized, Jackson 
dashed into the squad and ordered them to surrender. This they did, 
and when the prisoners, nearly a score in number, were marched to 
the rear, they exclaimed with delight to the spectators that "they had 
been captured by old Jack himself." 

In Pope's Rear. — "As I before remarked, the (Confederate) 
Army was far from being happy about its position, of which we knew 
the really critical nature, and just below us a few miles, over the plains, 
Ave could hear a terrific artillery fire. I became uneas}'- as it con- 
tinued, and seeing General Jackson, who stood on the porch of one 
of the commissary depots, I proposed to General Field to let me go 
over and ask him if General Longstreet had passed through Thorough- 
fare Gap. Through this he must necessarily pass to reach us, and 
it was known to have been held by the enemy and was, besides, a sort 
of second pass of Thermopylae in its difficulties. W'hen I made this 
proposition to General Field, who was an old Army officer, he replied 
promptly : 'No, sir, — you cannot carry any such message from me to 
General Jackson.' 'Well, Field, then I am going over to ask on my 
own account,' I said. 'Then let it be distinctly understood,' was the 
answer, 'that you don't go officially.' 

"Walking over to where General Jackson stood, and saluting him, 
I said, 'General, we are all of us desperately uneasy about Longstreet 
and the situation, and I have come over on my own account to ask 
the question : ''Has Longstreet passed through Thoroughfare Gap suc- 
cessfully?'" With a smile General Jackson replied: 'Go back to 
your command and say, "Longstreet is through and we are going to 
whip them in the next battle'." — IV. Roy Mason, Major C. S. A., in Vol. 
2. p. 529, Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. 

General Jackson Aroused. — During the battle of the Second 
Manassas a Federal courier was captured by Gen. Bradley T. Johnson. 
His despatches told that Pope was concentrating, with three divisions, 
upon Stonewall Jackson, who was there in the rear of Pope's Army. 
"The captured despatch aroused Jackson like an electric shock. He 



1 12 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOffES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

was essentially a man of action ; he rarely, if ever, hesitated ; he never 
asked advice, and did not seem to reflect or reason out a purpose ; but 
he leaped by instinct, and not by the slower process of advancing 
ratiocination, to a conclusion, and then as rapidly undertook its exe- 
cution. He called no council to discuss the situation disclosed by the 
communication, although his ranking officers were at his side; he 
asked no conference ; no expression of opinion ; he made no sugges- 
tion, but simply, without a word, except to repeat the language of the 
despatch, turned to me and said: 'Move your division and attack the 
enemy,' and to Ewell, 'Support the attack.' The slumbering soldiers 
sprang from the earthworks with the first summons. There was 
nothing for them to do but to form and take their places. They v/ere 
sleeping almost in ranks, and by the time the horses of their officers 
were saddled, the long lines of infantry were moving to the 'jontem- 
plated battlefield." — General Longstreei, in Battles and Leaders of the 
Civil JVar, Vo\. 2, pp. 508-9. 

General Jackson Gives an Order to a Federal Battery.— "I recol- 
lect well the incident you ask about, General Jackson finding one of 
my guns (Col. W. T. Poague, then captain, at Port Republic. June 8, 
1862), ready to move, directed me to hasten toward Port Republic, 
he himself going along and posting it in a field overlooking and com- 
manding the bridge. I was surprised to see a gun posted at the 
further end of the bridge, for I had just come from Army headquar- 
ters, and, although I had met a cavalryman who told me the enemy 
Avere advancing up the river, still I did not think it possible they could 
have gotten any guns in place in so short a time. It thereupon occur- 
red to me that the gun at the bridge might be one of Carrington's 
(Confederate), who was on that side and whose men had new uni- 
forms something like those we saw at the bridge. Upon suggesting 
this to the General, he reflected a moment, and then riding a few paces 
to the left and in front of our piece, he called out in a tone loud 
enough to be heard by them, 'Bring that gun up here.' But getting 
no reply, he raised himself in his stirrups and in a most authoritative 
and angry tone he shouted: 'Bring that gun up here, I say!' At that 
they began to move the trail of the gun .so as to luring it to bear on us, 
which, when the General perceived, he quickly turned to the officer-in- 
charge of my gun and said in his sharp, quick way, 'Let 'em have it.' 
The words had scarcely left his lips, when Lieutenant Brown, who had 
his piece charged and aimed, sent a shot right amongst them, so dis- 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAI.I, JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 113 

concerting tliem that theirs in reply went far above us, and in a few 
minutes, seeing out infantry approaching, they left the place, and, as 
I was informed, abandoned their gun before crossing South River." — 
Note in .Ulcii's J 'alley Campaign, p. 150. 

During his lifetime, Major Henry Kyd Douglas, who had been a 
member of General Jackson's staff, told the author he v/as present 
when General Jackson had mistaken a Federal battery for Confederate 
guns and had given a command to the cannoniers, whereupon the 
Major said he told the General that they "were not our guns." Major 
Douglas also stated that the two armies had overkq^ped each other 
so at this moment that Federal and Confederate cavalrymen, in num- 
bers of one. two or three, were passing each other on the road, and 
matters looked serious for the General's safety when a large detach- 
ment of Federal ca\alry rode by them. 

The Surrender of Harper's Ferry, September 15, 1862. — Of this 
important event, the surrender of Harper's Ferry to Gen. Stonewall 
Jackson. Major H. Kyd Douglas, of his staff, says : 

"Under instructions from General Jackson, I rode up the pike and 
into the enemy's lines to ascertain the purpose of the white flag. Near 
the top of the hill I met General White and staff and told him my mis- 
sion. He replied that Colonel Miles had been mortally wounded, that 
he was in command and desired to have an interview with General 
Jackson. ... I communicated them to General Jack.son. whom I 
found sitting on his horse where I had left him. . The con- 

trasts in appearances here were striking. General W'liile. riding a 
handsome black horse, was carefully dressed and had on untarnished 
gloves, boots and sword. His staff was equally comely in costume. 
■On the other hand. General Jackson was the doughtiest, worst-dressed 
and worst-mounted general that a woman who cared for good looks 
and style would wish to surrender to. General Jackson . . went 

up from Bolivar and into Harper's Ferry. The curiosity in the Union 
Army to see him was so great that the soldiers lined the road. . . . 
One man had an echo of response all about him when he said aloud. 
'Boys, he's not much for looks, but if we'd had him. we wouldn't have 
been caught in this trap.'" — Leaders and Battles of the Civil War, 
Vol. 2, p. 7%. 

Jackson Draws His Sword at Slaughter Mountain. — P>roken by 
front and flank attacks, the Confederate line had become, on August 
9, 1862, at the battle of Slaughter Mountain, a disorganized mob. 



1 14 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

It was then that Jackson drew his sword from its scabbard for the 
initial time, and raising his voice far beyond the noise of battle he 
shouted, "Rall)% men, and follow me." His soldiers, for he was 
among his Valley veterans, heard the sounds of cheer and command 
from one who had led them to incomparable victories, and they nerved 
at once their invincible phalanxes to heroic action. The Virginians, 
with a wild yell from the 21st Regiment, dashed to the front and gave 
the Federals a quick volley. The officers of the remaining regiments, 
animated by Jackson's inspiring conduct, took forward their flags, and 
the privates, following the lead of their officers, emulated the gallantry 
of the soldiers of the 21st. The Federals halted in their charge while 
Early and Taliferro, reorganizing their forces, pressed forward to 
the fray. General Taliaferro, seeing Jackson in such an exposed 
position, told him that that was not his place in the midst of a mob. 
To this Jackson replied, "Good ! Good !" and rode calmly back to 
drive to its execution the stratagem he had contemplated to defeat 
the plans of the Federals. 

"Dr. McGuire, They Have Done Their Worst," Jackson at 
Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862. — About eleven on the morning of 
the 17th of September, 1862, during the battle of Sharpsburg, Md., 
Dr. McGuire, the surgeon-general of Jackson's Corps, rode to West 
Wood to consult with General Jackson as to the wisdom of moA-ing 
the field hospitals to the south side of the Potomac. He found General 
Jackson mounted on Old Sorrell in the rear of the line of battle. The 
doctor presented him with some peaches that he had taken to him. 
These were received with great appreciation. Dr. McGuire then made 
his report. At numerous points the men were stretched at spaces of 
a few yards apart, and only one small brigade was there to aid the 
thin line. In the fields of ripening corn near them the great and 
overwhelming odds of the Federal forces were too plain. W'hen Dr. 
McGuire had ended his suggestions, Jackson, the calm and immovable, 
said in a soft tone, "Dr. McGuire, they have done their worst," and 
continued his repast of peaches. 

The Attack of Jackson at Chancellorsville on the Federal Flank. 

"Reaching the Orange Plank Road General Jackson himself rode with 
Fitz Lee to reconnoitre the position of Howard, and then sent the 
Stonewall Brigade by Thoroughfare Gap. under Brigadier-General 
Paxton, to hold the point there where the Germania Plank Road enters 
the Orange Road. . . . The well-trained ckirmishers of Rodes' 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 115 

division, under Major Eugene Blackford, were thrown to the front. 
It must have heen between 5 and 6 o'clock on the evening of Satur- 
day, May 2nd (1863), when these dispositions were completed. Upon 
his stout-built, long-paced little sorrel, General Jackson sat, with 
vizor low over his eyes and lips compressed, with his watch in hand. 
Upon his right sat Gen. Robert E. Rodes, the very picture of a soldier, 
and every inch of all that he appeared. Upon the right of Rodes sat 
Major Blackford. 

"'Are you ready, General Rodes?' said Jackson. 

" 'Yes, sir,' said Rodes, impatient for advance. 

" 'You can go forward then,' said Jackson. 

"A nod from Rodes was enough for Blackford, and then suddenly 
the woods rang with the bugle call." — Rev. James Power Smith, Cap- 
tain and Adjutant-General, C. S. A., in Battles and Leaders of the 
Civil War, Vol. 3, p. 203. 



116 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 



JACKSON'S THREE SPEECHES. 

Jackson's Only Political Speech — Jackson's Scabbard Speech — 
Jackson's Speech in Bidding Farewell to His Brigade. 

Jackson's Only Political Speech. — "I heard Jackson make the 
only pohtical speech of his Hfe. It was at Lexington during the cam- 
paign resulting in the election of Lincoln ( 1860). Though the voters 
of Rockbridge county, in which Lexington was situated, were over- 
whelmingly for Douglas, Breckinridge had a number of warm sup- 
porters, and the latter called a mass-meeting in the courthouse. Frank 
Jaxton, who afterwards fell at Chancellorsville at the head of his 
brigade, was one of the speakers, but the interest lagged until Jackson, 
who sat in the rear of the room, rose to speak. From the first he was 
listened to with the strictest attention, and his speech of a quarter of 
an hour made a deeper impression than all others. He spoke briefly 
and to the point, touching upon the dangers which threatened the 
country, and the need for every citizen to take a decided stand for the 
right, as he saw it. The scene comes back to me now. The dimly 
lighted room, the upturned faces of the listeners, and the earnest 
words and awkward gestures of the speaker. When he had finished he 
turned abruptly, and marched out with the quick firm step that was 
part of the man ; but the revelation had coine to those who remained, 
and they knew that the reserved and quiet professor had clear and 
well-defined views on the needs of the hour, and the courage to ex- 
press and stand by his convictions." — Colonel Georac H. Moffatt, South 
Hist. Mag., Yo\. 22, pp. 162-3. 

Jackson's Scabbard Speech. — In April, 1861, the L^nion people of 
Lexington, \ a., who appeared to be in a majority in that town, de- 
termined to have a parade. Following this several cadets were as- 
saulted and arrested. Word was carried to Washington College. Ex- 
citement ran high, and the cadets formed themselves into a brigade 
and began loading their guns to meet the paraders. Colonel Francis 
H. Smith, himself a Union man, was president of the College. Seeing 
the cadets getting ready for battle, he rose from a sick bed and 
hurried to them, saying that if there was any fighting between the 
citizens and the cadets he claimed the right to lead the battalion. This 
calmed the youngsters. The tumult then quieted, and opposition to the 



THE LIFE OF $TONE\VALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-C.EN., C. S. A. 117 

par.'ulers resolved itself into a meeting at the Barracks. A ntiniber 
were called upon for speeches, and "there ensued a long pause. Per- 
haps some rei)ly was expected from the cadets. At last the jiainful 
silence was broken by a cadet crying out, 'Major Jackson !' The cry 
was taken up by the others, until it became general and continuous. 
Aware of Jackson's awkwardness and shyness, many may have called 
for him in a spirit of mischief, but, doubtless, the majority of the 
cadets, knowing his straightforwardness and sense of justice, desired 
from him some expression of approval or sympathy. Rising from his 
seat, he was greeted with loud applause, lie waited till the noise sub- 
sided ; then, with body erect and eyes sparkling, as they did so often 
on the field of battle, he said, with a vigor and fltiency that v,-ere a sur- 
prise to all : 

"[Military men, when they make speeches, should say but few words, 
and speak them to the point. J admire, young gentlemen, the spirit you 
have shown in rushing to the defence of your comrades ; but I must com- 
mend you particularly for the readiness with which you have listened 
to the counsel and ol:)eyed the orders of your superior officer. The time 
may be near at hand when your State will need your services, and, 
if that time does come, then draw your swords, and throw away the 
sciihhards.^'SoHtli. Mag., Vo\. 10, p. 45. 

Jackson's Speech in Bidding Farewell to His Brigade. — "On the 

4th of (Jctober (1861). General Jackson was promoted to Major-Gen- 
eral and ordered to Winchester to take command of the forces in the 
Shenandoah X'alley, and he had his brigade paraded to bid them fare- 
Well. \\"e all had the blues, for we did not want to part with him as 
our Commander. Besides we all wanted to go with him. as nearly all 
of us came from the different counties in the Shenandoah X'alley. 

"General Jackson and his staff officers rode up in front of the brigade 
after we had formed on the hillside, and looked up and down the line. 
He then slowly raised his cap, and said, 'Officers and soldiers of the 
first brigade, I am not here to make a speech, but simply to say fare- 
well. I first met you at Harper's Ferry, in the commencement of this 
war, and I cannot take leave of you without giving expression to my 
admiration for your conduct from that day to this, whether on the 
march, the bivouac, the tented field, or the bloody plains of Manassas 
when you gained the well deserved reputation of having decided the 
fate of that battle.' 



118 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"Throughout the broad extent of country over which you have 
marched, by your respect for the rights and property of citizens, you 
have shown that you were soldiers,' not only to defend, but able and 
willing both to defend and protect. You have already gained a bril- 
liant and deservedly high reputation, throughout the army, and the 
whole Confederacy, and I trust, in the future, by your own deeds on 
the field, and by the assistance of the same kind Providence who has 
heretofore favored our cause, you will gain more victories, and add 
additional lustre to the reputation you now enjoy. 

"You have already gained a proud position in the future history of 
this, our second war of independence. I shall look with great anxiety 
to your future movements, and I trust, whenever I shall hear of the 
first brigade on the field of battle, it will be of still nobler deeds 
achieved, and a higher reputation won.' 

"Here he paused and glanced proudly around him. Then raising 
himself in his stirrups and throwing the reins on his horse's neck, he 
exclaimed in a voice of such deep feeling that it thrilled every heart 
in the brigade : Tn the army of the Shenandoah, you were the first 
brigade ; in the army of the Potomac, you were the first brigade ; in the 
second corps of this array you are the first brigade ; you are the first 
brigade in the affections of your general, and I hope by your future 
deeds and bearing you will be handed down to posterity as the first 
brigade in this, our second war of independence. Farewell !' 

"For a moment there was a pause, and then arose cheer after cheer, 
so wild and thrilling that the very heavens rang with them. General 
Jackson waved farewell to his men, and, gathering his reins, rode 
rapidly away." — Casler's History, pp. 83-4-5. 

This eloquent address was delivered spontaneously and not from 
notes. Two days after it had been made. Major Henry Kyd Douglas, 
of General Jackson's staff, and Sergeant Towers compared each other's 
recollections of the speech and the above was the result of their com- 
bined efforts. 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 1 19 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 



A GALAXY OF INCIDENTS IN STONEWALL JACKSON'S 

CAREER. 



Jackson Supports Imboden's Battery at the First Bull Run — 
Jackson Expected Every Order of His to Be Executed — Jackson's 
Ruse to Get Rolling Stock for the Confederacy — Stonewall Jack- 
son and General Loring Fall Out — Jackson Pushes a Battery Into 
Battle With His Own Hands — General Whiting Takes Back Call- 
ing Jackson a Fool — Jackson's Reply to a Suggestion From a Sub- 
ordinate — Jackson Adding a Minister to His Staff — Hunting Jack- 
son — "Jackson Is Surrounded!" — Stonewall Jackson Gives Infor- 
mation to His Soldiers Where He is Going to Fight His Next 
Battle — Waking up Stonewall Jackson — A Passing Remark from 
Jackson at the Battle of Port Republic — Jackson Crossing the 
Bridge at Port Republic — McClellem's Celerity Puzzled Jackson — 
Jackson's Plaui to Drive McClellan Into the Potomac — Jackson's 
Military Sagacity Displayed at Chancellorsville — Jackson's First 
Sight of Hooker's Flank at Chancellorsville — A Suggestion as to 
How Jackson Would Have Met the Defeat of the South. 

Jackson Supports Imboden's Battery at the First Bull Run. — 

Near the Henry House, situated in the midst of the first Bull Run 
battle field, in which house an old lady, Mrs. Henry, was mortally 
wounded, Imboden's Battery crossed at the edge of a pine grove, be 
tween the Henry and the Robinson houses. There Imboden met Stone- 
wall Jackson at the head of his brigade, marching by the flank at double 
quick. At that moment Captain Imboden was very angry at what he 
supposed had been bad treatment at the hands of General Lee, in 
leaving him and his battery exposed for a long time to capture. Im- 
boden expressed himself with a tincture of profanity in his remarks. 
He saw this was displeasing to the general, who observed : "I'll support 
your battery. Unlimber right here." Imboden did as directed, when a 
lull of from twenty to thirty minutes ensued. Captain Imboden re- 
ported to General Jackson when he had met him, that he had only three 
rounds of ammunition left for a single gim, and he suggested that a 
caisson be sent to the rear for ammunition. General Jackson replied, 
"No, not now ; wait till other gims get here, and then you can with- 



120 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOJES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

draw your battery, as it has been so torn to pieces, and let your men 
rest." 

While this waiting was in progress, and the men lay exhausted from 
work and want of water, Captain Imboden and Lieutenant Harman 
amused themselves training a gini on a strong force of the enemy, 
advancing towards them, yet still from twelve to fifteen hundred yards 
away. While thus employed. General Jackson came up and informed 
them that three or four batteries were rapidly approaching, and that 
Captain Imboden might soon retire. He gave the Captain permission 
which he had asked, to fire the three rounds of ammunition before 
leaving the field, with the reply, "Go ahead." Captain Imboden 
rammed home the shrapnel himself, but forgot to get far enough away 
from the gun, and after its discharge, the escaping gas of the explosion 
having struck him as the ball passed out of the gun, it landed him fully 
twenty feet away, and with blood gushing from his ear and it ruined 
forever. 

The shell burst in the Federal ranks. The contest then became 
terrific. Captain Imboden had been given the duty of going from 
gun to gun, to see that they were properly aimed. (3n returning, 
Captain Imboden asked General Jackson's permission to rejoin his 
battery. "The fight," says Captain Imboden, "was just then hot 
enough to make him feel well. His eyes fairly blazed. He had a 
way of throwing up his left hand with the open palm towards the 
person he was addressing, and, as he told me to go, he made this 
gesture. The air was full of flying missiles, and as he spoke he 
jerked down his hand and I saw blood was streaming from it." Cap- 
tain Imboden exclaimed, "General, you are wounded!" He replied, 
as he drew a handkerchief from his breastpocket, and began to bind 
it up, "Only a scratch — a mere scratch," and galloped away along the 
line. — Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. I. p. 236. 

Jackson Expected Every Order of His Executed. — Reminiscence 
of Lieut.-General T. J. Jackson (Stonewall), by Capt. James M. 
Garnett, a former member of his staft' : 

"This order, which I still have, placing me on Genernl Jackson's 
staff, reads as follows : 



TTIK LIFE OF STON'FWAIJ, JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN ., C. S. A. 121 

'' 'Headquarters X'alley l^istrict. Dccenil^er 23, 1861. 

" 'Special Orders. Xo. 270. 

" 'Lieutenant James M. (jarnett is relieved frc)ni duty in Captain 
Waters's Company, and is announced as Chief of Ordnance Valley 
District. By command of Major-General Jackson. 

" ' A. 11. Jackson, A. A. General." 

"I served on Cieneral Jackson's staff for four months. v;hen 1 was 
relieved at my own request. 

"Fuller particulars in this connection will be found in the Richmond 
Times-Dispatch, for December 12, 1906. Durinjj^ this period 1 re- 
ported personally to General Jackson nearly every morning, especially 
before we evacuated Winchester, al)out ]March 10, 1862, and received 
his orders relating to ordnance stores. I thus had the opportunity of 
becoming acquainted with him, Ijut only in the relation of a general 
commanding and his ordnance officer. There were mounted in the 
fortifications around Winchester eleven heavy guns, four forty-two 
pounders and seven twenty-four pounders, which 1 had to remove, but 
General Jackson delayed so long in giving me the orders to remove 
them that I got off the last one only the day before we left the city. 
This was characteristic of the secrecy which marked all his movements. 
He did not wish anyone to know when he would evacuate the city. 
When he did evacuate it, he carried away even the empty ammunition 
boxes, which were not worth the space they occu])ied, and were fit- 
only for kindling-wood. 1 sent the stores by wagons to Strasburg, 
and there placed them in freight cars, which I had to unload at W^ood- 
stock, just twelve miles distant, and the next day. I had to reload 
them in freight cars and send them to Mount Jackson, twelve miles 
further, where they were again unloaded, and soon afterward reloaded 
and sent on to Xewmarket, seven miles further. Here they remained 
loaded in wagons for some weeks, and I had to procure tarpaulins 
from Richmond to protect the stores from the weather, which became 
very bad in A])ril. The stores remained in wagons stretched along 
the turnjiike for a mile from Newmarket, until 1 was finally allowed 
to shelter there in a small brick church (churches generally served as 
my magazines), and I fitted up a rented room for the re])air of dam- 
aged arms. When General Jackson went down the \'alley to the 
battle of Kernstown (March 23. 1862). he left me at Mount Jackson 
to arm and equip some five hundred militia from the Valley counties, 



122 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

who had just come in, and he left also his inspector-general. Colonel 
Baylor, to muster them in. When we had fiulfilled these duties we 
rode down the Valley together and met the troops at Woodstock re- 
turning from the battle at Kernstown after their defeat, to which 
they had gone in too great a hurry. 

"Here I requested to be relieved as chief of ordnance, specifying 
my reasons, and General Jackson said that he would relieve me as 
soon as he could procure an ordnance ofticer from Richmond. This 
did not, however, happen until we had fallen back to Conrad's Store, 
about a month later, when my old school and college-mate, Lieut. 
Hugh H. Lee, was sent to him as ordnance officer. Meanwhile I had 
organized a division ordnance train,— which might have been done 
more conveniently at Winchester, — and ordnance matters were then 
progressing very satisfactorily. However, there was no help for it, 
so I was assigned to General Winder's "Stonewall" Brigade, and Hugh 
Lee was announced as 'Chief of Ordnance, Valley District,' in my 
stead. After Sharpsburg, he was taken sick, and I had to take charge 
of the ordnance division in his place. General Jackson never recog- 
nized any difficulties in the way of fulfilling his orders, or made any 
allowances for them, but expected the orders to be obeyed without 
question and without hesitation." 

Jackson's Ruse to Get Rolling Stock for the Confederacy. — "From 
the ver>^ beginning of the war the Confederacy was greatly in need of 
rolling-stock for the railroads. We were particularly short of bco- 
motives, and were without shops to build them. Jackson, appreciating 
this, hit upon a plan to obtain a good supply from the Baltimore and 
Ohio Railroad. Its line was double-tracked, at least, from Point of 
Rocks to Martinsburg, a distance of 25 miles. We had not interfered 
with the running of trains, except on the occasion of the arrest of 
General Harney. The coal traffic from Cumberland was immense, as 
the Washington government was accumulating supplies of coal for 
the seaboard. These coal trains passed Harper's Ferry at all hours 
of the day and night, and thus furnished Jackson with a pretext for 
arranging a brilliant 'scoop.' When he sent me to Point of Rocks, 
he ordered Colonel Harper, with the 5th Virginia Infantry, to Mar- 
tinsburg. He then complained to President Garrett, of the Baltimore 
and Ohio, that night trains, eastward bound, disturbed the repose of 
his camp, and requested a change of schedule that would pass east- 
bound trains by Harper's Ferry between 1 1 and 1 o'clock in the dav- 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 123 

time. Mr. Garrett complied, and thereafter for several days we 
heard the constant roar of passing trains for an hour before and an 
hour after noon. But since the "empties' were sent up the road at 
night. Jackson again complained that the nuisance was as great as 
ever. and. as the road had two tracks, said he must insist that the 
westbound trains should pass during the same two hours as those 
going east. Air. Garrett promptly complied, and we then had, for 
two hours every day, the liveliest railroad in America. One night, 
as soon as the schedule was working at its best, Jackson sent me an 
order to take a force of men across to the Maryland side of the river 
the next day at 11 o'clock, and, letting all westbound trains pass till 
12 o'clock, to permit none to go east, and so the trains east and west 
were corralled near Harper's Ferry, captured and sent South " 

Stonewall Jackson and Loring Fall Out. — "I now accompanied 
Loring's Army to Winchester, in the latter part of December, 1861, 
where his (Loring's) force was united with that of Jackson. On the 
1st of January, 1862, this united force moved towards Hancock, Mary- 
land, on what Jackson intended to be the beginning of a winter cam- 
paign. When near Bath, in Morgan county, Maryland, (an error, as 
there is no Morgan county in that State), we came upon the enemy's 
pickets and there was a halt. During this delay Jackson and Loring 
met, and some unpleasant words passed between them. Loring com- 
plained that if Jackson should be killed he (Loring) would find him- 
self in command of the army, the object of whose movements he )<new 
nothing. Jackson asked me to move forward a regiment which had 
halted on the side of a mountain near us. When I returned, Jackson 
asked me to join his stafif, which T declined to. do. because I liked 
Loring and did not wish to leave him. 

"The weather becoming intensely cold, the army fell back, Jackson 
returning to W^inchester and Loring being sent to Romney, in Hamp- 
shire county (Va.), Here Loring protested to the W^ar Department 
against being kept (there). The Secretary sent him an order direct 
(not through Jackson) to fall back to Winchester. This offended 
Jackson, who sent in his resignation, which was not accepted. Lor- 
ing's command was then sent elsewhere, he himself to Mississippi." — 
Col. George A. Porterfield, C. S. Army. Vol. 16, p. 90, Southcni Hist. 
Mag. 

Jackson Pushes a Battery With His Own Hands Into Battle. — 

Just before the attack on Malvern Hill, in the Peninsula campaign 



i'24 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

against McClellan. Gen. D. H. Hill states that "I saw Jackson helping 
with his own hands to push Reilly's North Carolina Battery forward." 
— Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Yo\. 2, p. 392. 

Genera! Whiting Takes Back Calling Jackson a Fool. — "The 
next day (June 9, 1862), I returned to Staunton and found Gen. 
W. H. C. Whiting, my old commander after the fall of General Bee 
at Bull Run, arriving with a division of troops to re-enforce Jackson. 
Taking him and his staff to my house as guests, General Whiting left 
soon after breakfast, with his guide, to call on Jackson at Swift Run 
Gap, near Port Republic, where he was resting his troops. The dis- 
tance from Staunton was about twenty miles, but Whiting returned 
after midnight. He was in a towering passion, and declared that 
Jackson had treated him outrageously. I askdd, "How is that, Gen- 
eral, for he is very polite to everyone?' 

" '( )h ! hang him, he was polite enough. But he didn't say a word 
about his plans. I finally asked him for orders, telling him what 
troops I had. He simply told me to go back to Staunton, and he 
would send me orders to-morrow. I haven't the slightest idea what 
they will be. I believe he hasn't any more sense than my horse.' 

"Seeing his frame of mind, and he being my guest in my house, I 
said little. Just after breakfast a courier arrived with a terse order 
to embark his troops on the railroad trains and move to Gordonsville 
at once, where he would receive further orders. This brought on a 
new explosion of wrath. 'Didn't I tell you he was a fool, and doesn't 
this prove it? \\'hy, I just came through Gordonsville day before 
yesterday.' ^ 

"However, he obeyed the order ; and when he reached Gordonsville 
he found Jackson there, and his little \'alley Army coming after him ; 
a few days later McClellan was astounded to learn that Jackson was 
on his right flank on the Chickahoniiny. Shortly after the seven days' 
battle around Richmond, I met Whiting again, and he then said: T 
didn't know Jackson when I was at your house. I have found out 
now what his plans were, and they were worthy of a Napoleon. But 
I still think he ought to have told me his plans, for. if he had died. 
McClellan would have captured Richmond. I wouldn't have known 
what he was driving at, and might have made a mess of it. But I 
take it all back, all I said about his being a fool.' 



TITK LIKE or STON'KWAIJ, JACKSON, Llia'T.-nEN., C. S. A. 125 

"P'rom the dale of Jacksoii's arri\al at Staunton till the battle of 
Port Republic was thirty-five days. He marched from Staunton to 
McDowell, 40 miles, from McDowell to Front Royal, about 110, from 
Front Royal to \\ inchester, 29 miles, Winchester to Port Republic, 
75 miles, a total of 245 miles, fighting four desperate battles and win- 
ning them all." — Ccii. John D. hnbodcii. in Battles and Leaders of the 
Civil War, \o\. 2. pp. 296-7. 

Jackson's Reply to a Suggestion From a Subordinate. — As Major 
Dabney, Jackson's chief of stafl" and assistant adjutant, sat (^n his 
horse near the General on the day that the battle of Cross Keys was 
horse near the General on the day that the battle of Cross Keys 
was fotigh (June 8. 1862), while Jackson was scanning the section 
where General Shields's advance on the south side of the vShenandoah 
had retired, he moved up to the (General's side and asked : "There is, 
then, a general action at Cross Keys?" — four miles distant, which 
battle Jackson had left Ewell to fight. Jackson gave the Major an 
affirmative nod. "Then," observed the Major, "General Shields will 
not be blind to the importance of co-operating with it. He will surely 
attack you again today." "Hereupon he turned," said the Major, 
upon me, as though vexed with my oiituseness, with brows knit, and 
waving his clenched fist forward to the commanding positions of the 
artillery near liim, said: 'No, sir, he eannot do it, sir. I should tear 
him to pieces.' "And Shields did not do it, because he could not." — 
Southern Historical Magazine, Vol. II, pp. 148-9. 

Jackson had. at that time, seventy pieces of cannon trained on the 
only road by which General Shields could advance to attack him. P>y 
this manoeuvre he was able to hold Shields in check, while Ewell 

administered a defeat to Fremont at Cross Keys. 

'i 

Jackson Adding a Minister to His Staff. — In April, 1862. the Rev. 
Dr. Dabney receix ed an invitation to ])ccome one of General Jackson's 
stafif. He was to join liim at once near Mount Jackson, if he would 
accept it. "Your rank." wrote General Jackson, "will be that of 
Major. Your duties will require early rising/ and industry. Please 
let me hear from you at once." In a lecture ii^LBaltimore in Novem- 
ber, 1872. Dr. Dabney says: ^ 

"He who would aspire to work and fight as Jackson's assistant 
(Major Dabney's position was to be assistant adjutant- general )> must 
l)e one who would not look back after he had put his hand t9 the 



126 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

plough ; but one who, like his master, came to stay with his work until 
it was ended, except, perchance, God should first end him. 

"Thus then went I, to show Jackson why I might not enter into 
this door of service, and yet seem no recreant (in staying out) to 
my country's needs. I found him at a place, — a gateway of the 
mountains that befriended him, named of the vicinage, Conrad's 
Store; the Shenandoah flood before him, and beyond multitudinous 
enemies thronging — held at bay, checkmated, gnashing vainly upon 
him ; while he, in the midst of, and marching of battalions, going to 
the watchpost, and splashing squadrons, splashing through mire most 
villainous, and of snow-tracks and sleet of uncongenial Spring, 'Win- 
ter lingering in the lap of Spring,' stood calm, patient, modest, yet 
serious, as though abashed at the meanest man's reverence for him; 
but at sternest peril unabashed. After most thoughtful, yea, feminine 
care of food and fire for me, he took me apart, saying, 'I am glad you 
have come.' But I told him that I was come, I feared, uselessly, only 
to reveal my unfitness, and retire; already broken by camp-disease, 
and enervated by student's toil. 'But Providence,' replied he, 'will 
preserve your health, if He designs to use you.' I was unused to 
arms and ignorant of all military art. 'You can learn,' said he. 'When 
would you have me assume my office?' 'Rest to-day, and study the 
"Articles of War," and begin tomorrow.' 'But T have neither outfit, 
nor arms, nor horse, for immediate service.' 'My quartermaster shall 
lend them, until you procure your own.' 'But I have a graver dis- 
qualification, which candor requires me to disclose to you first of 
mortals : I am not sanguine of success ; our leaders and legislators do 
not seem to me to comprehend the crisis, nor our people to respond to 
it ; and, in truth, the impulse which I feel to fly out of my sacred call- 
ing, to my country's succor, is chiefly the conviction that her need is 
so desperate. The effect on me is the reverse of that which the old 
saw ascribes to the rats when they believe the ship sinking.' 'But,' 
saith he, laughing, 'if the rats will only run this way, the ship will not 
sink.' Thus was I overruled." — Southern Hist. Mag., Vol. 14, pp. 128-9. 

Hunting Jackson.— "On May 21, 1862. Lieutenant F. M. Myers, 
of the Confederate Army, was given a despatch by General Ewell, to 
take to Jackson. Nobody had heard from General Jackson for a 
long time, and the lieutenant desired to ask where was Jackson, but 
from former experiences he was afraid to venture it, "and walked dis- 
consolately from headquarters and the presence of the General with- 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 127 

out any detinite plan whatever in his mi«d, and sighing with the 
Psahnist for 'the wings of a dove,' but Major Barbour had noticed his 
elongated visage, and divining his trouble, met him in the yard, where 
he proceeded to explain to him the road to Jackson, but while he was 
thus engaged. General Ewell stepped out and exclaimed in his quick, 
spiteful tone, 'Lieutenant Myers, go to Newmarket and take the turn- 
pike road to Harrisonburg; be quick now, I want to see you again 
today.' The Lieutenant crossed the Massanutten and found some of 
Ashby's cavalry at Newmarket, who told him Jackson was coming 
down the pike, and a nine-mile ride up the Valley brought him to the 
marching army of 'Stonewall,' and very soon he met a party of 
officers, riding among the infantry, when, selecting one whom for the 
plainness of his dress he took for a courier, he asked to show him 
General Jackson, but the courier simply replied, 'I am General Jack- 
son; where are you from, sir?' After reading the despatches, he 
wrote a few lines to General Ewell, and cross-questioned the Lieu- 
tenant a short time, when he sent him back saying, "I'll see you at 
Luray to-morrow.' On his way back to camp the Lieutenant met Gen- 
eral Ewell on the mountain, and on reaching the river found every- 
thing moving towards Newmarket, but this was soon changed, and 
the troops took the road to Luray, where on the following morning 
they met General Jackson and some of his people, and the two Gen- 
erals held a conference, after which Ewell pushed forward to Front 
Royal, reaching that place about 3 o'clock in the evening of the 23rd 
of May. Here they found a force of the enemy, and a fierce battle 
ensued." — IVhite's Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, by Prank M. Myers, 
Lieut., C. S. A., pp. 48 and 50. 

"Jackson Is Surrounded." — On June 7, 1862, when General Fre- 
mont was behind him near Port Republic, and General Shields in 
front of him, with bated breaths the soldiers of the great leader said 
to each other, "Jackson is surrounded." "Our eyes," said Dr. Dabney, 
his chief of staff, "saw no light ; but he, clear-eyed and serene, with 
genius braced by his steadfast heart and devout faith, saw all possi- 
bilities, and whence deliverance might dawn out of seeming darkness. 
And these two traits of greatness I recognized in Jackson through 
these transactions : First, that urgent and critical peril did not agitate 
and confuse his reason, nor make him hang vacillating, uneasy and 
impotent to decide between the alternatives ; that he ever thought best 
where other men could least think. Second, that he knew how to 



l2S A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

distinguish the decisive points from the unessential, and, grasping 
those with iron strength, to form them an inflexible conclusion. 

"Events, then, had showed Jackson these things by the close of 
Saturday, June 7th (1862). Why did he delay to strike this time, so 
unlike his wont? The 8th was 'the vSabbath of the I.ord,' which he 
would fain honor always if the wicked would let him. Not by him 
should the sanctity and repose of that bright, calm Sabbath be broken. 
When I went to him early, saying, T suppose, General, divine service 
is out of the question today?' his reply was, 'Oh, by no means. J hope 
you will preach in the Stonewall RrigadC; and I shall attend myself — 
that is, if we are not disturbed by the enemy.' Thus I retired, to doff 
the gray for the time and don the parson's black. But those enemies 
cherished no such reverence. As at the first JManassas and in so many 
other pitched battles, they selected Sunday for the day of battle." 

Stonewall Jackson Gives Information to His Soldiers Where He 
Was Going to Fight His Next Battle. — "The army lay cjuiet all day, 
and the next ( June 7th ) , moved towards Port Republic, encamping 
near the old church at Cross Keys. Some of the men became very 
impatient at the constant and rapid marching, and one of them asked 
General Jackson, as he passed along the column, where he was going 
to fight the Yankees. The General, with a half smile, replied : 'We'll 
fight them at Brown's Gap.' The soldiers at once became exceedingly 
interested in that place, continually asking each other how far it was 
to Brown's Gap, would the Yankees follow them there? and so 
forth, little imagining that the ground upon which they then stood 
was to be their battlefield for the morrow." — History of JVliitc's Bat- 
talion, p. 64. 

Waking Up Stonewall Jackson. — "I reached Port Republic an 
hour before daybreak of June 9, 1862, in response to an order from 
General Jackson, and sought the house occupied by Jackson ; but, not 
wishing to disturb him so early, T asked the sentinel what room was 
occupied by 'Sandy' Pendleton, Jackson's adjutant-general. 'Upstairs, 
first room to the right,' he replied. 

"Supposing he meant our right, as we faced the house, T went up, 
softly opened the door, and discovered General Jackson lying on his 
face across the bed, fully dressed, with sword and sash and boots all 
on. The low-burnt tallow candle on the bed shed a dim light, yet 
enough by which to recognize him. I endeavored to withdraw with- 



THE I.1FK OF STONEWALL JACKSON, I,JEUT.-GErC.. C. S. A. 129 

out waking him. Jle turned over, sat U]) on tlie Ijed and called out, 
'Who is that?' 

''He checked my apology with. 'That is all right. It's time to be up. 
I am glad to see you. Were the men all uj) as you came through camp ?' 

" "Ves, (leneral, and cooking.' 

" 'That's right. We move at daybreak. Sit down. J want to talk 
to you.' 

"I had learned never to ask him questions about his plans, for he 
would never answer such to anyone. I. therefore, waited for him to 
speak first. He referred feelingly to Ashby's death, and spoke of it as 
an irreparable loss. W^hen he paused, I said, 'General, you made a 
glorious winding up of your four weeks' work yesterday.' 

"He replied, 'Yes, God blessed our army again yesterday, and I 
hope with His protection and blessing we shall do still better today.' 

''Then seating himself, for the first time in all my intercourse with 
him, he outlined the day's proposed operations." — General Imboden, in 
Battles and Leaders of the Civil IVar, Vol. 2, p. 293. 

Passing Remark From General Jackson at the Battle of Port 
Republic. — General Jackson had given General Imboden, on the 
morning of the battle of I-'ort Republic, orders to take his field artillery 
to a certain part of the mountains above a ravine where he expected 
General Shields to rally his troops when he. General Jackson, had 
them "on the run," as he confidently predicted to General Imboden he 
would, and as occurred just as Jackson had anticipated. The Con- 
federate mules did not like the Union shot and shell that passed over 
their heads while they were awaiting the time for the guns of their 
battery to play their parts assigned them by General Jackson in tjie 
programme of the day. "The mules became frantic. They kicked, 
they plunged, they s(|uealed. It was impossible to quiet them, and it 
took three or four men to hold one mule from breaking away. Each 
mule had about three hundred pounds weight on him, so securely 
fastened that the load could not be dislodged by any of his capers. 
Several of them lay down and tried to wallow their loads off. The 
men held these down, and that suggested the idea of throwing them 
all on the ground and holding them there. The ravine sheltered us so 
that we were in no danger from the shot and shell that passed over us. 

"Just about the time our mule 'circus' was at its height, news came 
uj) the line from the left that Winder's brigade near the river was 



130 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

giving away. Jackson rode down in that direction to see what it 
meant. As he passed on the brink of our ravine, his eye caught the 
scene, and, reining up a moment, he accosted me with. 'Colonel, you 
seem to have trouble down there.' I made some reply which drew 
forth a hearty laugh, and he said, 'Get your mules on the mountain as 
soon as you can, and be ready to move.' Then he dashed on. He 
found that his old brigade had yielded slightly to overwhelming pres- 
sure. Galloping up, he was received with a cheer ; and, calling out at 
the top of Hrs voice, 'The Stonewall Brigade never retreats; follow 
me !' led them back to their original line. Taylor soon made his appear- 
ance, and the flank attack settled the work of the day. A wild retreat 
began. The pursuit was vigorous. No stand was made in the defile. 
We pursued them eight miles. I rode back with Jackson, and at sunset 
we were on the battlefield at the Lewis mansion. 

"Jackson accosted a medical officer, and said, 'Have you brought off 
all the wovmded?' 'Yes, all of ours, but not all of the enemy's.' 'Why 
not?' 'Because we were shelled from across the river.' 'Had you 
your hospital flag on the field ?' 'Yes.' 'And they shelled that 'f' 'Yes.' 
'Well, take your men to their quarters. I would rather let them all 
die than have one of my men shot intentionally under the yellow flag 
when trying to save their wounded.' 

"Fremont, hearing the noise of the battle, had hurried out from near 
Harrisonburg to help Tyler ; but Jackson had burnt the bridge at Port 
Republic after Ewell had held Fremont in check some time on the 
west side of the river and had escaped, so that when Fremont came 
in sight of Tyler's battlefield the latter's troops had been routed and 
the river could not be crossed." — General Imboden, in Battles and 
Leaders of the Civil War, Yo\. 2, p. 295. 

Jackson's Plan to Drive McClellan in the Potomac Foiled by Mc- 
Clellan's Generalship. — In the battle of Sharpsburg, in Maryland, 
in September, 1862, the attempts to drive Stonewall Jackson from his 
position failed. At half past one on the 17th, the Federal efiforts 
having ceased, Major-General John G. Walker sought Stonewall Jack- 
son and found him in the rear of Barksdale's Brigade, sitting on his 
horse, with one limb thrown over the pummel of his saddle, imder an 
apple tree, picking and eating the fruit. Making no reply whatever to 
the report of the division commander. General Jackson abruptly asked 
General Walker, "Can you spare me a very strong regiment and bat- 
tery?" Then General Walker offered him one of his reserv'e regi- 



THE LIK1-: OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 131 

ments, tlie 49tli North Carolina, a very strong organization. He also 
told General Jackson he could spare him both French's and Branch's 
Batteries ; hut they were now without long-range ammunition. Jack- 
son then said that, owing to the nature of the ground. General Stuart's 
Cavalry could take no part in the battle, but that the General had 
offered his own services. General Jackson added that he desired to 
make up from several commands on the Confederate left a force of 
four or five thousand men. and to give them to General Stuart, with 
orders to turn the enemy's right and to attack him in the rear; that 
General Walker must give orders to his division to advance to the 
front and attack the enemy as soon as he should hear the guns of 
Stuart.^"'and that our whole left wing would move to the attack at 
the same "time." Then, replacing his foot m the stirrup, he said with 
great emphasis. "We'll drive McClellan into the Potomac." Later in 
the day General Jackson informed General Walker in person that 
Stuart had failed to turn McClellan's right, for lie had found it securely 
posted on the Potomac. 

Jackson Crossing the Bridge at Port Republic. — Lieutenant 
Myers, in his interesting story of White's Battalion, on pagfe — , him- 
self being with Jackson at Port Republic on June 9th, the day on 
which this well-known incident happened, gives a A'ery different account 
from any other that I have seen, of a day when Jackson on that 
fateful Monday came so dramatically and dangerously near to being 
captured. Lieutenant Myers states : "On Monday morning, 'Stonewall' 
crossed the bridge almost alone, and rode into town, but on his return 
he found a Yankee major at the mouth of the bridge, and, without a 
moment's hesitation, rode up to the officer, saying, "Turn your guns, 
sir, turn your guns ; the enemy is coming from that direction,' point- 
ing at the same time down the river, and, without a question, the 
unsuspecting major had his pieces wheeled about, in order to com- 
mand the approach of the enemy, which to him was no enemy at all, 
and, without waiting to ex])lain any further. General Jackson dashed 
rapidly across the bridge to his own people, but he had not a moment 
to spare, for the baffled Yankee had his guns going on him before he 
cleared the bridge." 

McClellan's Celerity Puzzled Jackson. — The military sagacity 
of Stonewall Jackscm extended in a most remarkable degree — and was 
the faculty that contributed largely to his wonderful achievements in 
his campaign.s — in foreseeing, and thus forestalling, the movements of 



132 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

his enemies. There was one general, and one occasion, by whom and 
in which Jackson was deceived. Major-General John G. Walker, C. 
S. A., gives the incident and the circumstances of it, prefacing it 
with the fact that when Jackson heard the guns of McClellan's Army 
at Crampton's Gap, the day previous to the capture of Harper's Ferry, 
he could not believe it was McClellan's Army, but expressed himself 
as thinking it to be '"no more than a cavalry afifair between Stuart and 
Pleasanton." 

"No sooner," states General Walker, "had the surrender of Harper's 
Ferry been assured, than my division took up its line of march to join 
General Lee. At 2 A. M. of the 16th September, 1862, my advance 
overtook the rear of Jackson's force, and about 8 in the morning (of 
the day of the battle), after seeing our commands safe across the 
river at the ford below Shepherdstown, Jackson and myself went 
forward together toward Sharpsburg. As we rode along I mentioned 
my ruse in opening fire at Harper's Ferry. Knowing the strictness of 
Jackson's ideas in regard to military obedience, I felt a little doubtful 
as to what he would say. When I had finished my confession, he was 
silent for some minutes, and then remarked, 'It was just as well as it 
was; but I could not believe that the fire you reported indicated the 
advance of McClellan in force. It seemed more likely to be merely 
a cavalry afifair.' Then after an interval of silence, as if to himself 
he continued, T thought I knew McClellan' (they were classmates at 
West Point), but this movement of his puzdes me'."— Battles and 
Leaders of the Civil War, \'o\. 2, p. 611. 

The ruse referred to by General Walker was the forcing, by a show 
of two regiments in battle-array, of the Federals in Harper's Ferry to 
fire on him, which gave him the excuse to open his guns upon Colonel 
Miles, which Jackson did not want done for a day unless he was 
pressed to it. General Walker was urged to do this by McClellan's 
quick movements that threatened Lee's army in the rear if it stayed 
longer to assure the capture of Harper's Ferry. 

Jackson's Military Sagacity Displayed at Chancellorsville. — "In 
a conversation with a Confederate officer at Lexington, on February 
16. 1868, General Lee said, in regard to Chancellorsville, that 'Jackson 
at first preferred to attack Sedgwick's force in the plain at Fredericks- 
burg, but he told him it was as impracticable as it was at the first battle 
of Fredericksburg. It was hard to get at the enemy and harder to 
get away if we drove him into the river. But,' said he to lackson, 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 133 

'if you think it can be done. I will give orders for it.' Jackson then 
asked to be allowed to examine the ground, and did so during the 
afternoon, and at night came to Lee and said he thought he (Lee ) was 
right. 'It would be inexpedient to attack there.' 'iMove then,' said 
Lee, "at dawn to-morrow (the 1st May ) up to Anderson,' who had been 
j>reviously ordered to proceed towards Chancellorsville ; 'and the next 
time I saw Jackson.' said General Lee, was upon the next day, when 
he was on the skirmish line, driving in the erkemy's skirmishers around 
Chancellorsville.' " — Goi. Fit::liugh Lee, Vol. 7, p. 562, Southern His- 
torical Magazine. 

Jackson's First Sight of Hooker's Flank at Chancellorsville. — 

"Jackson was marching on. My cavalry was well in his front (May 
2. 1863). Upon reaching the Plank road, some five miles west of 
Chancellorsville. my command was halted, and. while waiting for 
Jackson to come up, I made a i)crsonal reconnoisance to locate the 
Federal right for Jackson's attack. With one statf officer I rode across 
and beyond the Plank road, in the direction of the old turnpike, pur- 
suing a path through the woods, momentarily expecting to find evidence 
of the enemy's presence. Seeing a wooded hill in the distance, T deter- 
mined, if possible, to get upon its top, as it promised a view of the 
adjacent country ^ Cautiously I ascended its side, reaching the open 
spot upon its summit without molestation. What a sight presented 
itself before me. Below me, and but a few hundred yards distant, 
ran the Federal line of battle. I was in the road of Howard's right. 
There were the lines of defence, with abatis in front, and long lines 
of stacked arms in rear. Two cannon were visible in the part of the 
line seen. The soldiers were in groups in the rear, laughing, chatting, 
smoking, probably engaged here and there in games of cards and other 
amusements indulged in while feeling safe and comfortable, awaiting 
orders. In the rear of them were other parties driving up and butch- 
ering beeves. 

■'The remembrance of the scene is as clear as it was sixteen years 
ago. So impressed was I with my discovery, that I rode rapidly back 
to the ix)int on the Plank road where T had left my cavalry, and back 
down the road Jackson was moving, until 1 met 'Stonewall' himself. 
'General.' I said, 'if you will ride with me, halting your column here, 
out of sight, I will show you the enemy's right, and you will perceive 
the great advantage of attacking down the Old Turnpike instead of 
by the Plank road ; the enemy's lines will be taken in reverse. Bring 



134 A 1 tlESAL'RUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

only one courier, as you will be in view from the top of the hill." Jack- 
son assented, and I rapidly conducted him to the point of observation. 
There had been, no shange in the picture. 

"I knew Jackson slightly. I watched him closely as he gazed upon 
Howard's troops. It was then about 2 P. M. His eyes burned with a 
brilliant glow, lighting up a sad face. His expression was one of intense 
interest, his face was colored slightly with the paini of approaching 
battle, and radiant at the success of his flank movement. Was he happy 
at the prospect of the 'delightful excitment,' terms, Dick Taylor says, 
he used to express his pleasure of being under fire? To the remarks 
made to him while the unconscious line of blue was pointed out. he did 
not reply once during the five minutes he was on the hill, and yet his 
lips were moving. From what I have read and heard of Jackson since 
that day. I know what he was doing then. Oh ! 'Beware of rashness,' 
General Hooker. Stonewall Jackson is praying in full view and in rear 
of your right flank ! 

"While talking to the Great God of Battles, how could he hear 
what a poor cavalryman was saying. Tell General Rodes,' said he 
suddenly whirling his horse towards the courier, 'to move across the 
Old Plank road ; halt when he gets to the Old Turnpike, and I will 
join him there.' One more look upon the Federal lines, and then he 
rode rapidly down the hill, his arms flapping to the motion of his horse, 
over whose head it seemed, good rider as he was, he would certainly 
go. I expected to be told I had a valuable personal reconnoisance — 
saving the lives of many soldiers, and that Jackson was indebted to me 
to that amount at least. Perhaps I might have been a little chagrined 
at Jackson's silence, and hence commented inwardly and adversely 
on his horsemanship. Alas ! I had looked upon him for the last time. 
* * * Jackson's men burst with a cheer upon the startled enemy, and 
swept down in rear of Howard's line, capturing cannon before they 
be turned upon them." — General Pitchiigh Lee, in S. H. Mag.. Vol. 7, 
pp. 571-2-3. 

A Suggestion as to How Jackson Would Have Met the Defeat of 
The South. — In a lecture delivered in Baltimore City in November 
1872, Major Dabney, General Jackson's Chief of Staff, and one who 
had his confidence, thus speculated upon the conduct of Jackson, who 
had said he preferred death to the death of the Southern Confederacy, 
had he seen the failure of the South to establish its independence. 



THE LIFE OF STON'EWAr.I, JACKSON', LIEUT. -GEN'., C. S. A. 135 

"Jackson is gone and the cause is gone. All the victories which he 
won are lost again. The penalty we pay for the pleasure of the dream 
is the pain of the awakening. I confess unto you that one of the most 
consoling thoughts which remain to me amidst the wakening realities 
of the present is this — that Jackson and other spirits like him are 
spared the defeat. I find that many minds sympathize with me in the 
species of awful curiosity to know what Jackson would have done at 
our final surrender. It is tsrange, a startling conviction of our 
thoughts : Jackson, with his giant will, his unflinching faith, his heroic 
devotion, face to fact, after all, with the lost cause ! What would he 
have done? This question has been asked me, and my answer always 
has been: 'In no event could Jackson have survived to see the cause 
lost. But you say: Would he have l)een guilty of suicide? Would 
he, in the last, lost battle, have sacrificed himself upon his country's 
funeral? No. But I believe that, as his clear eye saw the approach- 
ing catastrophe, his faithful zeal would have spurred him to strive so 
devotedly to avert it, he would have overwrought his powers, or 
met his death in generous forget fullness (not in intentional despera- 
tion ) on the foremost edge of battle. For him there was destined to 
be no subjugation. The God whom he served so well, was too gracious 
to his favorite son. Less faithful serv^ants, like us, may need this 
bitter courage. He was meeter for his reward." — South, Hist. Mag., 
A'ol. II, pp. 152-3. 



1 36 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 



THE RELIGION OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 



General Jackson — the "Happiest of Men" — General Jackson a 
Faithful Deacon of the Church — Jackson Makes Collections for His 
Church — Jackson Tells How the Rule not to Take a Letter out of 
the Mail on Sunday Benefited a Friend — General Jackson Cured 
a Colored Boy of the Habit of Swearing — Jackson's Punctuality in 
Respecting Social Obligations — Jackson's Dread of Trusting to 
Men and not to God for Success of the Fonfederate Army — Jackson 
a Believer in Providence — Jackson Gives General Imboden His Rea- 
sons for His Calmness in Battle — Jackson as Superintendent of a 
Colored Sundy School — Jackson's Opinion of a Sermon — General 
Jackson Leads in Prayer in Church — Jackson Had Qualms in Fight- 
ing a Battle on Sunday — Jackson's Reverential Despatch After the 
Battle of McDowell — Jackson's Body Servant Knew When to Pack 
His Haversack — Jackson Sends a Contribution to Church Instead 
of News of Battle — With Jackson Every Victory Was a Gift from 
God's Hands — Jackson Prays on the Eve of Battle — Jackson Un- 
estentatiously Attends Church in Richmond — The Tincture of Re- 
ligion in Jackson's Reports and Correspondence — Jackson Reading 
the Scriptures on the Eve of Battle — A Seeming Oddity of Jack- 
son Has a Clear Explanation — Jackson Glad to See One of His 
Colored Sunday School Scholars — Jackson Had His Favorite 
Hymns — Jackson Creates a Stir by CeJling for a Corporal — Jack- 
son Desired a Christian Daily Paper — Jackson's Intercourse With 
His Chaplains — Jackson Prayed Before Advancing to Meet Hooker 
— Jackson Worships in the Church His Soldiers Had Built — Jack- 
son Allows a Catholic Priest to Have the Only Tent Outside Those 
of Headquau-ters — Jackson's Life Had its Influence for Good. 

General Jackson — the Happiest of Men. — "It was the testimony 
of his pastor, that he (Major Jackson) was the happiest man he ever 
knew. The assurance that 'all things work together for good to 
them that love God, to them that are called according to his pur- 
pose,' was, to him, a living reality. It robbed suffering of all of its 
bitterness and transmuted trials into blessings. To his most intimate 
Christian associates, he was one day expressing his surprise that this 
class of promises did not yield to other Christians a more solid peace. 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN.. C. S. A. 137 

The suggestion arose in the mind of liis friend to try tlie extent of 
his own faith, with the question whether the trust in God's love and 
purposes of mercy to his own soul would be sufficient to confer on him 
abiding happiness under the privation of all earthly good. He an- 
swered, 'Yes, he was confident he was regenerated and adopted through 
the work of Christ and that, therefore, inasmuch as every event was 
disposed of by omniscience, guided by redeeming love for him, seem- 
ing evils must be real blessings ; and that it was not in the power of any 
earthly calamity to overthrow his happiness.' His friend knew his 
anxious care of his health, and asked, 'Suppose. Major, that you should 
lose your health irreparably, do you think you could be happy then?' 
He answered, *Yes, I should be happy still.' His almost morbid fear of 
blindness was remembered, and the question was asked: 'But suppose, 
in addition to chronic illness, you should incur the total loss of your 
eyesight, would not that be too much for you?' He answered firmly, 
'No.' His dislike of dependence was excessive. He was, therefore, 
asked once more, 'Suppose that, in addition to ruined health, and total 
blindness, you should lose all your property, and be left thus, incapable 
of any useful occupation, a wreck to hunger on a sick-bed, dependent 
on the charities of those who had no tie to you, would not this be loo 
much for your faith'? He pondered for a moment,, and then answered 
in a reverential tone: 'H it were the will of God to place me there, 
He would enable me to lie there peacefully a hundred \ea.vs' "-—Dabncy, 
\^ol. I, pp. 127-8. 

His perfect faith of belief that, when he had performed his duty, 
the results were the hand of God acting upon events, enabled him to 
possess patience and contentment under trying circumstances When 
he had been delayed in his return after vacation to his post at the 
\'irginia Military Institute, he was asked if he was not made wretched 
by his absence from his duty, and rei)lied : "By no means : I had set out 
to return at the proper time : / had done my duty. The steamer was 
delayed by an act of Providence, and I was perfectly satisfied." — 
Dabney, p. 134. 

General Jackson a Faithful Deacon of His Church. — General 
Jackson was as faithful to the business duties of his religious life as 
he was to the temporalities of his profession. In reporting his work 
in connection with a collection he was taking, he said: "I have a con- 
tribution from every person in my district except one lady. She has 
been away ever since I have been collector, but she will be home at 12 



138 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

o'clock to-day, and I will see her nt 1 o'clock." The next day he re- 
ported a contribution from her also." — Rcz'. J. Wm. Jones, Chaplain 
C. S. A. 

When he'fell in battle, his venerable pastor exclaimed to Chaplain J. 
Wm. Jones, with deep emotion : "Oh ! sir, when Jackson fell I lost 
not only a warm friend, a consistent active church member, but the 
best deacon I ever saw." 

Jackson Makes Collections for His Church. — "Major Jackson 
took upon himself the duty of collecting for the church. He regularly 
called upon his pastor to report his work as deacon. 'At one collection 
the gifts were solicited for the American Bible Society, and Jackson 
rallied forth, armed with the list of names furnished by the clerk 
of the congregation. When he came to the pastor to report, he had a 
number of additional names written in pencil marks at the foot of the 
list, with small sums opposite.' 'W'hat are these?' asked the good 
doctor. 'Those at the top,' said Jackson, 'are your regulars, and those 
below are my militia.' On examination of the names, they were found 
to be those of the free blacks on the quarters, all of whom he had 
visited in their humble dwellings and encouraged to give a portion of 
their earnings to print the Bible. He argued that these small sums were 
better spent thus than in drink or tobacco ; that the giving of them 
would elevate their self-respect and enhance their own interest in the 
Holy Book ; and that they, being indebted to it, as well as others, should 
be taught to help in diffusing it." — Dabncy, Vol. I, pp. 111-2. 

General Jackson Tells How the Observance of the Rule Not to 
Take a Letter Out of the Mail on Sunday Benefited a Friend. — 

General Jackson related with especial satisfaction an incident of the 
good that once came to a friend by the enforcement of his views on 
the Sabbath mail. While proceeding one Sabbath to Divine Worship 
with a Christian associate, his friend proposed to apply to the post 
office for his letters on the plea that there was probably a letter from 
a dear relative, wdiose health was in a most critical state, and might, for 
aught he knew, demand his immediate aid, but he dissuaded him by 
the argument that the rtecessity for departing in this from the Sab- 
bath rest was not known, but only suspected. They went together to 
church and enjoyed a peaceful day. On the morrow it was ascertained 
there was a letter to Jackson's friend from his afflicted relative, an- 
nouncing a most alarming state of the disease with which the patient 
suffered, but there was also a later one, arriving that day, correcting 



Till-: LIFE OF STOXFWAI.L J.VCKSON, IJKUT.-GEN'., C. S. A. 139 

all signs of distress, and stating that the health of the sufterer was re- 
stored. "Now," said Jackson, "had my friend causelessly dishonored 
the Sabbath, he would have sutTered a day of harrowing anxiety, which 
the next day's news would have shown utterly groundless : but God 
rewarded him for his obedience, by mercifully shielding him from this 
gratuitous sutTering. I le sent him the antidote along with the harm." 
—Dalvicy's Life of Jackson, p. 89. 

General Jackson Cured a Colored Boy of the Habit of Swear- 
ing. — In the year 1913. in his 84th year, Jefi Shields, who claimed 
himself to be the tirst colored pupil in Jackson's Sunday School, at 
Lexington, \'a., and who says he was cook for the General during the 
civil war, made this statement : 

"I was General Jackson's first scholar. Somebody ought to write 
a history of Jackson's Christian life, for he was the greatest Christian 
that ever lived. Jackson had a class of boys, about eighteen. Jackson 
stopped me from swearing, and I had to go to the Presbyterian Church 
because I admired him so much. ( He was a deacon in the Presbyterian 
Church.) He was the hardest man to get to laugh you ever saw — 
no foolishness about him. . One day he said to me : 'You don't seem 
very jokey today, Jeff.' "No. I see you are a dift'erent man from what 
I am a boy. So I must change.' When he prayed, he would say, 'Re- 
member Jeff.' I would go through all kinds of weather to do anything 
for him, because I loved him." 

This statement was obtained for the author from Jeff Shields himself, 
by Miss Elizabeth Stuart, of Lexington, Va. 

There were about 500 in the Sunday School, which was held in the 
Presbyterian Sunday School Room. 

Jackson's Punctuality in Respecting Social Obligations. — Major 
Dabney, in his Life of his eminent commander, says that he acquitted 
himself of his social obligations with a sense of moral responsibility. 
"W'hen a single man, he went into society as frequently as other young 
men of regular habits, saying he was constrained to do so by a sense 
of justice and humanity, for when an acquaintance took the trouble to 
prepare an entertainment and honored him with an invitation, to attend, 
where no duties interposed, was the only equitable return due for the 
kindness." — Dabney, pp. 96-7. 

"As a member and officer of the church, he was eminently defer- 
ential to his pastor as his superior officer. But, as a commander-in- 



140 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

chief, he would no more defer to the judgment of that pastor, than to 
that of the humblest of his own soldiers."- — Ibid. p. 81. 

Jackson's Dread of the People Giving Men, and not God, Praise 
and Honor for their Success. — "Jackson said -.'The manner in which 
the press, the army and the people, seem to lean or certain persons, 
is positively frightful. They are forgetting God in the instruments 
they have chosen, which fills me with alarm'." — Gctting's Personal 
Recollections. 

Jackson a Believer in Providence. — During his service in the 
Confederate Army, Charles H. Stanley, Esq., of Laurel, Maryland, was 
placed as guard over a tent in which three deserters v/ere under arrest 
and imprisonment. In the night, while the guard was in front of the 
tent, the three prisoners escaped by the rear. When this was discovered, 
the guard was marched up into Stonewall Jackson's presence to have 
the matter investigated. "It was," said Mr. Stanley, who related it to 
the writer, "a question of guard house for me or even to be shot. 
General Jackson addressed me in this manner: "They ought not to 
have escaped ; yet they were deserters, and under the rules of war 
would have been punished with death. Perhaps, it was an interposition 
of divine Providence in their behalf. You may go back to your tent'.'' 

Jackson Gives Imboden the Reasons for His Calmness in Battle. 

— "Two days after the battle (of Bull Run), hearing that Jackson was 
suffering from his wound, I rode to his quarters near Centreville. Of 
course the battle was the only topic discussed during breakfast. 'Gen- 
eral,' I remarked, 'how is it that you can keep so cool and appear so 
utterly insensible to danger in such a storm of shell and bullets as 
rained about you when your hand was hit?' He instantly became 
grave and reverential in his manner, and answered, in a low tone of 
great earnestness : 'Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel 
as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I 
do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter 
when it may overtake me.' He added, after a pause, looking me full 
in the face : "That is the Avay all men should live, and then all would 
be equally brave'." — General John D. Imhoden. 

Jackson the Superintendent of a Colored Sunday School — An old 

student of the A'irginia ^Military Institute, in the Southern Historical 
Magazine, under the signature of "G. H. M." gives this description of 
General Jackson's colored Sundav School : 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LlEUT.-GExN., C. S. A. 141 

"At the request of a young friend in the town of Lexington, who 
expected to be absent several weeks, I agreed to supply his place 
temporarily as a teacher in the colored Sunday School. Accordingly 
on the next Sablsath afternoon, I repaired to the lecture room of the 
Presbyterian Church. I found the room filled with colored children, 
whose clean clothes and shining ebony faces evidenced their apprecia- 
tion of the interest taken in them by the white folks. I foimd present 
a dozen or more young white ladies and gentlemen who acted as teach- 
ers, and, standing by a table on the inside of the railing surrounding the 
pulpit, was the superintendent of the school. 

''I doubt whether, in after days, during the great historical events 
in which he was the chief actor, General Jackson felt more sensibly the 
responsibility of his position than he did that afternoon as the com- 
mander of the little army of sable children. With characteristic 
promptness, just as the hand of the clock touched the figure 3, the 
exercises of the school were opened by his saying, 'Let us pray.' Ac- 
cording to the Presbyterian mode, he prayed in a standing attitude. 
My recollection is that his prayer was striking for its beautiful sim- 
plicity. There was no superfluous ornamentation about it, neither 
were there any rhetorical flourishes. It was the simple pleading of an 
earnest soul. It was free from the preamble so often made by ministers 
and laymen in their public prayers, wherein they often undertake to 
inform Deity of the current events of the past. Taking it for granted 
that Omniscience knew all things, he commenced his prayer by praxing. 
It was the petition of one conscious of his own weakness and pray- 
ing for strength. There was the true contrition of heart, accom- 
panied by a faith which took a sure hold on the promises. And his 
voice seemed to tremble as he prayed for a special blessing on his little 
charge — the negro children of the town whom he had gathered to- 
gether in a Sunday School. It was the days of slavery, and their 
neglected condition excited his sympathy, and a sense of duty impelled 
him to make an effort to rid them from the slavery of sin. Some of the 
Bourl)on aristocracy criticised his action, and e\en went so far as to 
threaten prosecution. But a healthy Christian sentiment in the com- 
munity sustained him, and he went forward in the path of duty. It 
can be well understood, then, why he betrayed emotion when ])resent- 
ing the little army of the dusky soldiers to the review of the Great 
Commander. It was the faithful soldier making a full report to 
headquarters. It was the c^bedient soldier seeking for instructions. 
'That was Stonewall's way'. "5. H. Maga.-:ine, \'ol. 9. pp. 44-45. 



142 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Mr. J. D. Davidson, of Lexington, gives the following interesting 
sequel to this school: "On Saturday evening of May 1, 1858, I left 
my office and on my way home met Major Jackson on the pavement in 
front of the Court House, in company with Colonel S. McD. Reid, 
the clerk of the courts, and William McLaughlin, Esq., now judge of 
our Circuit Court. They were conversing on the subject of his Sunday 
School. 

"Colonel Reid said to him, 'Major, I have examined the statute and 
conferred with the Commonwealth's attorney. Your Sunday School 
in an 'unlawful assembly.' 

"This seemed to fret him much. Mr. McLaughlin then said to him 
that he had also examined the question, and that his school was against 
the letter of the law\ This fretted him still more. I then said to him, 
'Major, whilst I lament that we have such a statute in our Code, I am 
satisfied that your Sunday vSchool is an 'unlawful assembly,' and prob- 
ably the grand jury will take it up and test it.' 

"This threw him off his gtiard, and he replied with, 'Sir, if you 
were, as you should be, a Christian man, you would not think, or say 
so.' Thus thrown off my guard, I replied tartly, in words not now re- 
membered ; when he turned on his heel and walked to his house on 
the opposite side of the street. 

"I passed on home, and had not gone half way when I began to 
rebuke myself for my rudeness to Major Jackson, and determined to 
return and apologize to him. 

"Reaching home, I found my wife and a relative, Major Dorman, 
sitting together. I told them what had occurred, and requested my 
wife to give me an early supper that I might return and make my 
apology. 

"I returned to my office after dusk, taking with me a negro bov to 
bear my apology in writing to Major Jackson. 

"I had commenced writing it, and, when half written, I heard a tap 
at my office door, when Major Jackson stepped in, saying: 'Major 
Davidson, I am afraid I wounded your feelings this evening ; I have 
called to apologize to you.' 'No, Major,' I replied., 'no apology from 
you to me. I am now writing my apology to you.' 

"He remained for more than a half hour conversing with me, and, 
when he left he said these words : 'Mr. Davidson, these are things that 
bring men together and make them know each other better.' 



THE LIF?: OF STONKWAIJ. JACKSON. LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. H.") 

"The half written note of apology 1 now hnd amongst my pa{)ers. 

"This incident speaks for itself, and reveals some, at least, of the 
features of that great and good man." — South. Mag., \'o\. 9, |)p. 45-46. 

This was Mr. Davidson's half finished note: 

"Saturday night. May 1, 1858." 

"Major Jackson:" 

"Dear Sir: — 'As I shall not have an opportunity of meeting you 
again before Monday, I will not rest content until I have tendered yon 
a becoming apology for the hasty, and, I fear, uncourteous reply made 
by me to you in our conversation this evening — " 

General Jackson "was accustomed to say that one of the very great- 
est privations to him which the war brought was that he was taken 
away from his beloved work in the colored Sunday School. 

"Jackson thus acquired a wonderful influence over the colored people 
of that whole region, and to this day his memory is warmly cherished 
by them. \\'hen Hunter's Army was marching into Lexington, the 
Confederate flag which floated over Jackson's grave was hauled down 
and concealed by some of the citizens. A lady who stole into the 
cemetery one morning, while the Federal Army was occupying the 
town, bearing fresh flowers with which to decorate the hero's grave, 
was surprised to find a miniature Confederate flag planted on the 
grave, wnth the verse of a familiar hymn pinned to it. L^pon inquiry 
she found that a colored boy, who had belonged to Jackson's Sunday 
School, had procured the flag, gotten someone to copy a stanza of a 
favorite hymn which Jackson had taught him, and had gone in the 
■night to plant the flag on the grave of his loved teacher." — RezK J. 
JVilliam .tones, Chaplain in Confederate Army, Vol. 19, S. H. Mag., 
])p. 161-162. 

Jackson's Opinion of a Sermon. — "Yesterday was communion at 
Mr. Graham's church, and he invited me to be present, but I was pre- 
vented from enjoying that privilege. However, I heard an excellent 
sermon from the Rev. Dr. Stiles. His text was 1st Timothy, ch. ii, 
5th and 6th verses. It was a powerful exposition of the Word of 
God; and when he came to the word 'himself,' he placed an emphasis 
upon it, and gave it a force which I had never felt before, and I 
realized that, truly, the sinner who does not turn to God under Gospel 
privileges, deser\'es the agonies of perdition. The doctor several times 
in appealing to the sinner, repeated the verse — '\\ ho gave himself a 



144 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

ransom for all, to be testified in due time.' What more could God 
do than give Himself a ransom? Dr. Stiles is a great revivalist, and 
is laboring in a work of grace in General Ewell's Division. It is a 
glorious thing to be a minister of the Gospel of the Prince of Peace. 
There is no equal position in this world." — Letter to Mrs. Jackson. 

General Jackson Leads in Prayer in Church. — On the 15th day 
of November, 1861, a day appointed by the Confederate authorities 
as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. General Jackson attended 
Rev. Dr. Graham's church in Winchester. When the hymn following 
the first prayer was finished, with some misgivings the minister asked 
General Jackson to lead in prayer. The request was evidently a sur- 
prise to him, but, after a trying pause of a second or two, General 
Jackson arose, and, "with the manner of one who was on familiar 
ground and engaged in familiar exercise, he led us at once into the 
presence of God and to the throne of grace. Beginning with words 
of adoring reverence, which immediately impressed and subdued every 
heart, he asked to be heard for the sake of our divine Redeemer ; and 
then, as if pouring out his soul before God, in the most simple man- 
ner, yet with deep fervor, he made confession of our utter unworthi- 
ness as sinners and of our absolute dependence on divine mercy. In 
words borrowed from the Scripture, and uttered in most earnest tones, 
he besought God to bless our afflicted country and give success to our 
arms. In the whole course of his prayer he did not forget for one 
moment that he was one of a company of sinners, deserving nothing 
of God, yet pleading with Plim, for Christ's sake, to be merciful to 
lis and bless us. Not a single word did he utter inconsistent with the 
command to love our enemies. Not once did he venture to tell God 
what He ought to do in that great crisis of our country. But, while 
he did importunately ask that our arms be crowned with victory and 
our country obtain its independence, he was careful to ask it in humble 
deference. to divine wisdom, and only if it would be for God's glory 
and our good." — Rev. James R. Graham. 

This prayer produced a marked efifect in the community — it taught 
men to pray in these bitter times without hate to their foes. 

Jackson Had Qualms in Fighting a Battle on the Sabbath. — 

Fighting a battle on the Sabbath gave General Jackson no small con- 
cern. On April 11, 1862, shortly after the battle of Kernstown. 
that had been fought on Sunday, General Jackson wrote to Mrs. 
Jackson : "You appear much concerned at me attacking on Sunday. 



THE LIFE OF STONEVVAIJ. J ACKSoN, IJEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 145 

I was greatly concerned, too ; but felt it my duty to do it. in con- 
sideration of the ruinous effects that might result from postponing the 
battle until the morning. .So far as 1 can see my course was a wise 
one; the best that I could do under the circumstances, though very 
distasteful to my feelings; and I hope and pray to our Heavenly 
Father that I may never again be circumstanced as on that day. I 
believed that so far as my troops were concerned,, necessity and mercy 
both called for the battle. I do hope the war will soon be over, and 
that I shall never again have to take the field. ,A.rms is a profession 
that, if its principles are adhered to for success, requires an officer to 
do what he fears might be wrong, and yet, according to military experi- 
ence, must be done, if success is to be attained. And this fact of its 
being necessary to success, and being accompanied with success, and 
that a departure from it accompanied with disaster, suggests that it 
must be right. Had I fought the battle on Monday instead of Sunday, 
I fear our cause would have suffered ; whereas, as things turned out, I 
consider our cause gained much from the engagement." 

His Reverential Despatch After His Victory at McDowell. — 
After General Jackson had secured his victory at McDowell, he sent 
General Ewell the following despatch : 

'■'Headquarters, \'alley District, May, 1862. 
"General R. S. Ewell: 

"Your despatch received. Hold your position — don't move. I have 
driven General Milroy from McDowell ; through God's assistance have 
captured most of his wagon trains. Colonel S. B. Gibbons, Tenth 
Virginia, killed. Forward to Department at Richmond the intelli- 
gence." 

His Body Servant Knew When to Pack Jackson's Haversack. — 

It is one of the traditions of the Civil War, and was current as well 
during the progress of that mighty struggle, that Jim, the faithful 
colored servant of General Jackson, reckoned his duties largely by his 
master's devout habits. He declared that he knew when there was 
going to be a battle, saying, "The General is a great man for praying, 
night and morning — all times. But when I see him get up several 
times in the night besides, to go off and pray, then I know there is 
going to be something to pay : and I go straight and pack his haver- 
sack, because I know he will call for it in the morning." 

Jackson Sends a Contribution Instead of News of Battle. — When 
the news reached Le.xington of the victory at Manassas, it was re- 



146 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

ported that Rev. Dr. White had received a letter from Jackson, and 
the people gathered to hear about the particulars of the battle. The 
venerable preacher mounted a store-box, arranged his spectacles, broke 
the seal and read as follows : 

"My dear Pastor: — In my tent last night, after a fatiguing day's 
service, I remembered that I had failed to send you my contribution 
for our colored Sunday School. Enclosed you will find my check 
for that object, which please acknowledge at your earliest convenience, 
and oblige yours faithfully." — See Mrs. T. /. Jackson, p. 59. 

During the ailment that rendered his eyes most tender to light, he 
made it a conscientious duty, as well as he found it a necessity, to forego 
all reading after nightfall, except the short volume of Scriptures, with 
which he always closed the day. — Ibid, p. 65. 

With Jackson Every Victory Was a Gift from God's Kind Hands. 
General Jackson and Major-General Lafayette Laws were together 
at the battle of Sharpsburg. They were on horseback. For a while 
ten or twelve shells passed over their heads, and the sound of shrapnel, 
crashing through the trees, not more than five steps from them, was 
heard. A shell passed between the two generals. A courier, not ten 
feet from them, was struck by the shell and fell between the horses of 
the two commanders. The projectile did not explode. General Jack- 
son said, "The enemy, it seems, are getting our range," and rode away, 
"much to my gratification," wrote General McLaw.s, adding, "He re- 
marked to me two or three times, when with me that day, that 'God 
has been very kind to us today.' " This was Stonewall Jackson. Every 
good and every blessing, with every victory, was a gift from God's 
kind and merciful hands. 

Jackson Prays on the Eve of Battle. — "At Port Republic, a 
battle as noticeable for the strategy which preceded it as for the daring 
and resolution by which it was characterized, Jackson, in making the 
disposition of his forces, assigned an important duty to the I^ouisiana 
Brigade, commanded by Gen. Dick Taylor. This was to gain a posi- 
tion on the mountain side above the enemy's most efifective battery, 
and to descend and attack him in flank and rev-erse. After Taylor had 
put his troops in motion, he went to receive from Jackson his final 
orders. He found him in front of his line of battle, which had just 
been forced back. Shot and shell were hissing and bursting around 
him, and there he sat motionless on his old campaigner, a horse as 
steady under fire as his master ; the bridle-reins were hanging loosely, 



THE LIKE OK STONEWAI.L JACKSON, I,IEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 147 

and Jackson was wrapl in prayer. He had done all his human fore- 
sight could devise, and now was confiding himself, his compatriots and 
his cause to the God of the righteous." — President Jefferson Davis, 
S. H. Mag., \o\. 9. pp. 217-8. 

Jackson Unostentatiously Attends Church in Richmond. — Uurin<2^ 
the week following the Peninsula campaign. General Jackson wrote 
Mrs. Jackson several letters, and each contained the usual reference 
to the kindness of the /\lmighty to him. One of the letters said : 
'"During the past week I have not been well, have suffered from fever 
and debility, but through the blessing of an ever-kind Providence I am 
much better to-day. Last week I received the present of a beautiful 
summer hat from a lady in Cumberland. Our Heavenly Father gives 
me friends wherever I go." 

When the campaign was ended, General Jackson repaired to Rich- 
mond with his corps, which city he reached on the 10th of July,. 1862. 
His first open appearance in a city filled w'xXh his praise and admirers 
was on the Sabbath in attendance on divine worship. He described 
this incident to his wife in this manner : 

"Yesterday I heard the Rev. Dr. M. D. Hoge preach in his church, 
and also in the camp of the Stonewall Brigade. It is a great comfort 
to have the privilege of spending a quiet Sabbath within the walls of 
a house dedicated to the service of God." 

General Jackson entered the church unostentatiously and without 
attendants, and took a seat near the door, and, after the services were 
over, left the church before the congregation discovered the attendance 
of the distinguished participant in the morning worship. Before re- 
turning to cam]) he called ujxmi a mother who had lost a sf)n in his 
command. 

The Tincture of Religion in Jackson's Reports and Correspond- 
ence. — This was the close of General Jackson's official report of the 
battle of Cedar Run : 

"In order to render thanks to God for the victory at Cedar Run, 
and other past victories, and to implore His continued favor in the 
future, divine service was held in the Army on the 14th of August" 
(1862). 

On the night of the second day of the second Manassas, when Med- 
ical Director McGuire, recognizing the many casualties he had wit- 
nessed, said : 



148 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

''General, this has been won by nothing but stark and stern fight- 
ing," General Jackson replied, "No. It has been won by nothing 
but the blessing and protection of Providence." 

In ending his report of the campaign of Northern Virginia, General 
Jackson said : 

"For these great and signal victories our sincere and humble thanks 
are due unto Almighty God. \Ve should in all things acknowledge 
the hand of Him who reigns in heaven and rules among the armies of 
men. In view of all the arduous labors and great privations the troops 
were called to endure, and the isolated and perilous position which 
the command occupied, while engaged with greatly superior numbers 
of the enemy, we can but express the grateful conviction of our mind, 
that God was with us, and gave us the victory ; and unto His holy 
name be the praise." 

Writing to his wife of the second Manassas, General Jackson again 
attributed, as he had done personally to Dr. McGuire, the successes 
of that day to the providences of God. He said, speaking of the 
several days of the battle, "In all of which God was with us, and gave 
us the victory. All glory be to His name. May He ever be with us 
is my earnest prayer, and we ever be His devoted people. It greatly 
encourages me to feel that so many of God's people are praying for 
that part of our forces under my command. The Lord has answered 
their prayers ; and my trust is in Him. that He will still continue to 
do so. God, in His providence, has again placed us across Bull Run, 
and I pray that He will make our arms continually successful, and 
that the glory will be given His holy name and none of it to man. 

"God has blessed and preserved me through His great mercy." 

Jackson Reading the Scriptures. — A chaplain, on the eve of the 

battle of Fredericksburg, saw an officer, whose insignia of rank was 
hid under the folds of his overcoat, lying in the rear of a battery 
reading a Bible. Supposing him to be a chaplain, the newcomer 
approached and began a conversation on the impending battle. The 
officer on the ground soon changed the subject to religious topics, of 
which he talked fluently. On asking the officer's name, the chaplain 
was surprised to find that his chance acquaintance was none other 
than the famous Stonewall Jackson. 

While General Jackson was entirely wanting in ostentation in his 
religious life, there was one point in his belief to which, on every 



THE LlFi: or STONEWALL JACKSON'. LI KUT.-GEN .. C. S. A. 149 

suitable occasion, lie gave expression — that was his confidence in the 
immediate hand of God in his own life and the affairs of men in 
general. As he and his aide. Captain, and afterwards the Rev. James 
Power Smith, in the early dawn of the morning were riding toward 
the battlefield of Fredericksburg, raising his hand upward. General 
Jackson said, "T trust our Ciod will give us a great victory to-day. 
Captain." 

A Seeming Oddity of Jackson Finds a Clear Explanation. — 
■■Just before the battle of Fredericksburg he rode out in front of his 
line of battle and ofifered an earnest prayer for the success of his 
arms that day. 

"Rev. Dr. Brown, former editor of the Central Presbyterian, related 
a characteristic anecdote of this ■man of prayer.' During a visit to 
the army around Centreville, in 1861, a friend remarked to Dr. Brown, 
in speaking of General Jackson, in the strain in which many of his old 
friends were accustomed to disparage him. 'The truth is, sir, that old 
Jack is crazy. I can account for his conduct in no other way. Why, 
I frequently meet him out in the woods walking backwards and forth, 
muttering to himself in incoherent sentences and gesticulating wildly, 
and at such times he seems utterly oblivious of my presence and of 
everyone else.' 

'■Dr. Brown happened next night to share Jackson's blanket, and in 
a long and tender conversation on the Ijest means of promoting personal 
holiness in the camp the great soldier said to him: 'T find that it 
greatly helps me in fixing my mind and quickening my devotions to 
give articulate utterance to my prayers, and hence T am in the habit 
of going ofif into the woods where T can be alone and speak audibly to 
myself the prayers I would pour out to God. I was at first annoyed 
that I was compelled to keep my eyes open to avoid running against 
the trees and stumps ; but, upon investigating the matter, T do not find 
that thfc Scriptures require us to close our eyes in prayer, and the 
exercise has proved to me to be very delightful and profitable.' 

"And thus Dr. Brown got the explanation of the conduct which his 
friend had cited to prove that 'Old Jack is crazy.' 

"A friend was once conversing with him about the difticulty of the 
Scripture injunction, 'Pray without ceasing,' and Jackson insisted that 
we could so accustom ourselves to it that it could be easily obeyed. 
'When we take our meals there is the grace. When T take a drink of 
water I always patise, as my palate receives the refreshment, to lift 



150 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

my heart in thanks to God for the water of life. Whenever I drop a 
letter in the box at the postoffice. I send a petition along with it for 
God's blessing upon its mission and upon the person to whom it is sent. 
When I break the seal of a letter just received, I stop to pray God 
that He may prepare me for its contents and make it a messenger of 
good. When I go to my classroom and await the arrangement of 
the cadets in their places, that is my time to intercede with God for 
them. And so with every other familiar act of the day.' 

" 'But,' said his friend, 'do you not often forget these seasons, 
coming so frequently?' 

" 'No,' said he, 'I have made the practice habitual to me. and I can 
no more forget it than to forget to drink when I am thirsty.' . . . 
Suffice it to say that I saw him frequently, heard him converse on 
religious topics, heard him offer as fervent, tender, and every way 
appropriate prayers as I ever heard from anyone, and can say from 
my own personal knowledge of him that if I ever came in contact 
with an humble, earnest child of God, it' was this 'thunderbolt of war,' 
who followed with childlike faith the 'Captain of our Salvation,' and 
who humbly laid at the foot of the cross all of his ambitions and honors. 

"Having lived such a life, the logical result was the glorious death 
which has been so fully described by Dr. Dabney, Dr. Hunter McGuire 
and others." — Dr. J. IVm. Jones, Chaplain C. S. A., in S. H. Mag., 
Vol. — , pp. 344-4. 

Jackson Glad to See One of His Colored Sunday School Scholars. 
"During the winter (1862), at Moss Neck, I had a boy as my servant 
from the town of Lexington, both very black and very faithful. One 
day I was surprised to see the General ( Stonewall Jackson) eyeing him 
very closely as he worked about the campfire. 'Why. is that you, 
John?' the General said, surprised and pleased. When I asked John 
afterward how he came to know General Jackson, he said. 'Oh, I knew 
the Major; the Major made me get the catechism.' He was one of 
the scholars of Jackson's Sunday School, and he knew his catechism 
well. The only fault of which John could be charged was that, unlike 
all the other servants, he liked to see the battle. Mounted on a fine 
mare, which I had never ridden into danger, John came again and 
again under fire, and seemed most happy in the fire and smoke of 
battle. It is a question some of my Boston friends may discuss, 
whether John derived his rare military spirit from Stonewall Jackson 
or from the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and I may add, in this 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 151 

remote part of the theological world, that that catechism and its teach- 
ings are believed by some to have had something to do with the 
soldierly valor and renown of many others than Stonewall Jackson 
and my black boy John." — From Rev. Jas. Power Smith's Lecture to 
the Military Hist. Society of Massachusetts, pp. 8-9. 

Jackson Had His Favorite Hymns. — "After removing his head- 
(juarters to Hamilton Crossing (1863), General Jackson established 
an altar of daily morning prayer in his military family. He was too 
liberal and unobtrusive in his religion to exact compulsory attendance 
on the part of his staff, but their regard for him prompted them to 
gratify his wishes, and he always greeted their presence with a face 
of beaming commendation. He appointed his chaplain to officiate at 
these services; but, if he was absent, the General took his place him- 
self, and, with the greatest fervor and humility offered up his tribute 
of praise and supplication. Meetings for prayer were held at his 
quarters twice a week, on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and on 
Sunday afternoons he loved to engage the musical members of his 
staflf in singing sacred songs, to which he listened with genuine delight. 
He rarely let them stop without calling for the hymn beginning— - 

'How happy are they 

Who the Savior obey.' 
"Other favorite hymns were : 

'Come, humble sinner, in whose breast 

A thousand thoughts revolve.' 

' 'Tis my happiness below, 
Not to live without the cross.' 



'When gathering clouds around I view, 
And days are dark and friends are few.' 



"And, 



'Glorious things of thee are spoken, 
Zion, city of our God.' 
"(Sung to the tune of Harwell.)" — From Mrs. Jackson's Life of 
General Jackson. 

Jackson Creates a Stir by Calling for a Corporal. — General Jack- 
.son's life was an epic of thankfulness for all the benefits and blessings 
that he received from Almighty God. After Fredericksburg, it was: 
"The enemy, through God's blessing, was repulsed at all points on 



1 52 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

Saturday, and I trust that our Heavenly Father will continue to bless 
us. We have renewed reason for gratitude to Him for my preserva- 
tion during the last engagement." On Christmas, 1862, he wrote: 
"Yesterday I received the baby's letter with a beautiful lock of hair. 
How I do want to see that precious baby, and I do earnestly pray for 
peace. Oh, that our country was such a Christian, God-fearing people 
as it should be. Then we might very speedily look for peace." In 
another letter : "If all our troops, officers and men, were at their posts, 
we might, through God's blessing, expect a more speedy termination 
of the war." Quoting, he wrote: "Dr. Dabney writes, 'Our little 
prayer-meeting is still meeting daily to pray for our army and leaders.' 
This prayer-meeting may be the means of accomplishing more than 
our Army. I wish that such existed ever^^where. How it does cheer 
my heart to hear of God's people praying for our cause and for me. 
I greatly prize the prayers of the pious." December 29th, he tells of 
having had "the privilege of attending divine service in a church near 
General Hill's headquarters and enjoyed the services very much." To 
a relative who had joined the x\rmy he wrote, that, "through the bless- 
ings of God," he would render valuable service to their "precious 
cause." To another about this time he wrote: "I hope you are a 
Christian. There is no happiness like that experienced by a child of 
God. You have an interest in my prayers." 

It may well be said of this soldier of the church militant that he 
went about doing good. Rev. James P. Smith, D. D., tells that when 
he was a private in General Jackson's command, "the General came to 
our camp one day in my absence and created a great stir by asking for 
Corporal Smith. Great expectations were aroused that Corporal Smith 
was to be appointed to some office or special duty, but on my return 
it was found that he had called to leave me a package of religious 
tracts for distribution in the camp." 

Jackson Desired a Christian Daily Paper. — One of the means that 
General Jackson wished exerted for the spiritual welfare of the coun- 
try was the establishment of "a Christian daily newspaper." In a 
letter written near Fredericksburg, Yd.., on March 28th. 1863, to Rev. 
Dr. R. H. Morrison, General Jackson said: 

"I feel a deep interest in seeing a Christian daily paper established. 
I believe there is not a single daily paper in the country but which 
violates the Sabbath by printing on that holy day for its Monday's 
issue, i have thought upon this subject for several years, and it 



Tin: l.IFE OF STONEWAI.l, jACKSON, 1,1 EUT.-GEN.. C. S. A. 1 5.> 

appears to me that now is a goo<l time to start such a paper whilst 
our country is in trouble and is looking to God for assistance. How 
can we consistently ask God to bless us when we continue to encourage, 
for the gratification of curiosity, a disregard for His holy law? Such 
a paper as it appears to me is demanded would give us early news as 
is at present received at the printing-oflice on Sunday, as the paper, 
which would be mailed on Monday, would be printed on v*^aturday 
instead of Sunday. If such a paper could be established, it might be 
the means of influencing the future course of our country." 

Jackson's Intercourse with His Chaplains. — During the winter 
of 1862-3 General Jackson was very attentive to the duty of inculcat- 
ing religious sentiments amongst his troops. He was deeply interested 
in securing chaplains for his soldiers and in inspiring the chaplains in 
the service with more zeal for their duties. \\'hcii a CathoHs priest ap- 
plied for permission to minister to those of his own faith in Jackson's 
Army, as soon as he had satisfied himself that the applicant was a 
proper person, the General declared with an emphasis that brushed 
aside any opposition that might arise, "He shall have a tent." When 
the General was about to make a move when no tents were allowed to 
be taken, and the priest said he could not perform his ministerial 
duties without one. General Jackson gave him permission to have one, 
adding. "I do not care what may be said on the subject." The priest's 
tent, besides the one at headquarters, was the only one in camp. 

General Jackson's mind was broadly Catholic and absolutely tolerant. 
A service in his camp was described thus : "We had a Presbyterian 
sermon, introduced by Baptist services, under the direction of a 
Methodist chaplain, in an Episcopal church." 

General Jackson Prayed Before Advancing to Meet Hooker.— 
On the morning c^f April 29, 1863, General HooK'er advanced with 
his army across the Rappahannock, (k'neral Jackson was given the 
duty, without sj)ecial orders from General Lee, to meet the movement. ■ 
He said to the orderly that brought him the information of the ad- 
vance: "Say to General Jackson that he knows just as well what to do 
with the enemy as I do." Before ordering his tent to be struck, as he 
entered on this heavy task. General Jackson dismounted and sought 
the secrecy of his military closet. His servant, Jim, to whom he had 
given the reins of his horse, lifted his hands above his head, as mute 
notice to the noisy multitude about him, and then in an audil)le whisper 
said: "Hush. The General is praying." Instantly silence fell upon 



154 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

the camp. Not until the tentfolds were opened, and the captain of 
the hosts about him, annealed and anointed for battle, appeared to 
view, was the calm of voice and movement that had paused as he 
prayed, broken. 

General Jackson Worships in the Church His Soldiers Built. — In 

the winter of 1862-3, the soldiers of General Jackson's corps built a 
church. "As this chapel was near the quarters of General Jackson, he 
often came to worship in it with his favorite brigade. Instead of affect- 
ing the chief seat in the synagogue, he delighted to sit among the 
rough, weather-beaten privates, and lay aside all official dignity to 
accompany them to the throne of grace in the common footing of 
worshippers. Their reverence for his person sometimes led them to 
leave a respectful distance between themselves and the seat he occu- 
pied ; but he would never consent that any space should be lost, w^here 
so many were crowding to hear the \\''ord. As he saw them seeking 
seats elsewhere, he was accustomed to rise and invite them by gesture 
to the vacancies near him and was never so v.^ell satisfied as when he 
had some unkempt soldier bounding his elbow on either side, and all 
the room about him completely filled. Then he was ready to address 
himself with his usual fixed attention to the services." — Dahnny's Life, 
Vol. I, p. 651. 

"My old brigade," wrote General Jackson to Mrs. Jackson, "has built 
a log church ; as yet I have not been in it. 1 am much interested in 
reading Hunter's Life of Moses. It is a delightful book ; and I feel 
more improved in reading it than by an ordinary sermon." 

Mr. George G. Higgins, of Annapolis, Maryland, a Confederate 
soldier, assisted in building this log church. He said it v/as built of 
spruce logs, long and shapely, and excellent timber for building pur- 
poses. The crevices between the logs were chinked up with wood and 
clay. The church was in process of building for two weeks, and when 
finished would accommodate a congregation of five hundred. There 
was no instrumental music at these services, but there was a fine choir, 
there being a number of excellent singers amongst the soldiers. The 
church was located at Hanover Junction. 

Jackson's Trust in the God of Battles. — "Jackson looked forw ard 
to the coming campaign (that of 1863), with the deepest interest. He 
was one day conversing with a member of his staff, and having stated 
the grounds upon which he believed a great battle was soon to take 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAIJ, JACKSON, I.IEUT.-C.EN., C. S. A. 15S 

place, he remained silent for sonic moments, and then added humbly 
and reverently : 

" "My trust is in God.' 

"A brief silence again followed these words; but suddenly rising to 
his feet, with flashing eyes and compressed lips, he exclaimed : 

" 'I wish they would come.' " 

Jackson Allowed a Catholic Chaplain to Have the Only Tent 
Outside That of Headquarters. — "A very remarkable illustration 
of Jackson's liberality was shown just before the battle of Chancellors- 
ville. We had been ordered to send to the rear all surplus baggage, and 
to illustrate how rigidly this was done — only one tent, and that a small 
one, was allowed for the headquarters of ihe corps. It was intended 
to make the campaign of 1863 a very active one. 'We must make this 
campaign,' said Jackson, 'an exceedingly active one. Only thus can a 
weaker country cope with a stronger. It must make up in activity 
what it lacks in strength, and a defensive campaign can only be made 
successful by taking the aggressive at the proper time. Don't wait for 
the adversary to be fully prepared, but strike him the first blow.' W'hen 
all the tents amongst other surplus baggage were taken away, a Roman 
Catholic priest of one of the Louisiana Regiments sent in his resig- 
nation because he could not perform the duties of his office without 

the privacy of a tent. Jackson asked me about Father . I 

told him he was one of the most useful men in time of battle that we 
had; that I would miss his services very much. He ordered that this 
Roman Catholic priest should retain his tent, and he was the only man 
in the corps who had the privilege." — Dr. .-/. Hunter McCuirc, C. S. 
A., South. Hist. Mag., \'o\. 25, p. 107. 

Jackson's Life Had its Influence. — Fhe life of such a man as 
Thomas Jonathan Jackson could not fail of its influence. "This ex- 
traordinary man produced an impression upon his soldiers," which a 
writer in 18<^H said, "remains to this day,'" of which fact Mr. W. R. 
St. John, the president of the Mercantile Bank of New York, gives 
proof in his own experience. He states that, two years previous, 1889, 
he was on a business errand in the Shenandoah \'alley in company with 
General Thomas Jordan, chief of staff to General Beauregard in the 
Confederate amiy, and at the close of the day they found themsel\cs 
at the foot of the mountains in a wild and lonely place, where there was 
no village, and not even a house save a rough shantv for the use of the 



156 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

'"track-walker" on the railroad. "It was not," said Mr. St. John, ''an 
attractive shade for rest, but rather suggestive of the solitary cabin, in 
which they sat down to such a supper as could be provided in this 
desolate spot. The unprepossessing look of everything was completed 
when the keeper of the station came in and took his seat at the head of 
the table. A bear out of the woods could hardly have been rougher 
than he, with his unshaven beard and unkempt hair. lie answered to 
the type of the border ruffian, whose appearance suggests the dark 
deeds that might be done here in secret and hidden in the gloom of the 
forest. Imagine their astonishment when this rough backwoodsman 
rapped on the table and bowed his head, and such a prayer ! 'Never,' 
said our friend, 'did I hear a petition that more evidently came from 
the heart. It was so simple, so reverent, and so tender, so full of 
humanity and penitence, as well as thankfulness to the Giver of all 
good ! We sat in silence, and as soon as I could recover myself I 
whispered to my friend, 'Who can he be?' to which he answ^ered, 'I 
don't know, but he must be one of Stonewall Jackson's old soldiers.' 
And he zvas! As we walked out into the open air, I accosted our new 
acquaintance, and, after a few questions about the country, asked : 
'Were you in the war?' 'Oh, yes,' he said with a smile, 'I was out with 
Old Stonewall!' Here, then, was one of the famous 'Stonewall Bri- 
gade,' whose valor was proved on so many a battle-field. Such were 
the men, now white with years, scarred with wounds, who last summer, 
on the anniversary of the battle of Bull Run, thronged the hill-top at 
Lexington, and wept at the unveiling of the monument which recalled 
their old commander." — Evangelist, S. H . M., Vol. 19, p. 371. 



THE UIl'K OI^ STOXKWAIJ, J ACKSUN, LIEUT. -GEN'., C. S. A. 

CHA l^r ER TW ENT Y-ONE. 



THE HUMANITIES IN STONEWALL JACKSON'S 
CHARACTER. 



The Humanities in General Jackson — Jackson's Social Habits — 
Jackson's Speedy Reparation of an Injustice to a Cadet — Jackson 
Turned His Headquarters Into a Hospital for the Sick — Jackson 
Would Not Prohibit Ladies from Visiting the Camp— Jackson 
Amenable to Reason — Jackson Rebukes His Staff for Laughing at 
the Ignorance of a Poor Woman Seeking Her Son — Jackson So- 
ciable with His Soldiers — Jackson's Thoughtfulness for a Sub- 
ordinate Officer — Exchange of Medical Officers. 

The Humanities of General Jackson. — "He was humane, and felt 
deeply for those in distress. For the suffering population of Fred- 
ericksburg', after the lx)nihardment and battle, he was greatly con- 
cerned. He issued an appeal to the officers and men of his command, 
and $30,000 passed through my hands for which 1 have the receipts of 
the Mayor of the town." — James Power Smith. . 

"For a sick woman among his servants, he wrote from the field a 
letter of kindest sympathy and consolation." — Ibid. 

"For a Louisiana Regiment, he sought a Catholic priest for its 
chaplain." — Ibid. 

"In Lexington, he went from church to church, until he found the 
gentle, saintly and venerable Presbyterian pastor. Dr. W'm. S. White, 
to be the guide he needed. Slowly, through doubts, with some honest 
difficulties, he came to personal faith, simple, direct, loving, strong, that 
took hold of his whole being. The psalmist says, of the wicked man. 
'God i3 not in all his thoughts.' The supreme fact in the character of 
Stonewall Jackson was that "God was in all his thoughts'." — Ibid. 

General Jackson's Habits. — "His Sabbaths were sacredly reserved 
from the smallest secular distractions. If his friend exclaimed, 
'Surely, Major, your eyes would not be injured by the reading 
of one letter now.' his answer was: T suppose they wouldn't; but 
if I read this letter tonight, which is not truly necessary to do (one of 
friendship or compliment), I shall be tempted to read something else 
that interests me to-morrow night, and the next, so that my rule will be 
broken down. Then my eyesight will imdoubtedly be injured. But 



158 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

if I thus incapacitated myself, by acts not necessary, for my duties to 
my employees, and my pupils, in the Institute, / shall commit sin':" — 
Dabney's Life of Jackson, p. 76. 

Jackson's Speedy Reparation of an Injustice to a Cadet. — An inci- 
dent in General Jackson's career at the Virginia Military Institute is 
often repeated, as an evidence of his conscientious care in promptly 
repairing every injury he did to another. This comes to us from first 
hands, written by "B. M. I.," in the Richmond Standard, a cadet at the 
school. The author says: "One day when the class was reciting to 

him (General Jackson), on Bartlett's Mechanics, Cadet L was 

sent to the blackboard, and had as his subject assigned him (a prob- 
lem), which involved a great deal of analytical work. The work done, 
the cadet faced about, assumed the position of a soldier, saluted the 
Major (his rank at that time), and indicated his readiness to recite. 
During the demonstration Major Jackson detected, as he thought, some 
error in the work — maybe the sign plus when it should have been 
minus, or the reverse. The cadet ventured to insist that his work was 
right, as much as a cadet dare insist on anything with 'old Jack' (as 
the Major was called in cadet parlance). This was offensive to mili- 
tary discipline, and Cadet L was ordered to his seat, to which 

he went with a sad heart, fearing he would not only get a low mark on 
the class-book, but he would be reported for disorderly conduct. 

"The class was soon dismissed. The day wore on — a cold, stormy 
day in January. About nine o'clock that night, or just after we had 
gone to our rooms for tattoo, we heard the sentinel call for the corporal 
of the guard, and very soon an officer came to our room. He called 

out : 'L , old Jack's in the guard-room, and wants you.' We said : 

'Ah, old fellow, you are gone up for arrest.' Down went the cadet, 
wondering, fearing. As he entered the guard-room there stood 'old 
Jack' like a grand old Roman, snow on his cloak, his cap, and his 
beard. The cadet doffed his cap, and saluted him ; he returned the 

salute in his nervous, quick way, and said: 'Mr. L , I have been 

looking over the subject you had in the lecture-room this morning and 
comparing it with your analytical work, and I find that you were right 
and I was wrong and the book was wrong, and I beg your pardon, Mr. 

^-^ h . I could not sleep feeling that I had injured you. and I came 

down to tell you so.' 

"The cadet, in his joy, said: 'Oh, Major, it made no difference. I 
would not have had you walk all the way down here in this storm.' 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKS(JN, LIEUT.-C.EN., C. S. A. 159 

The Major replied: 'That's sufficient, Mr. L ; retire to your 

quarters, it is very near taps.' (Taps was the hour every Hght was to 
be put out at the tap of the drum.) Out in that darlc, howling storm 
old Stonewall went ; his house fully a mile away ; but what cared he 
for storm or distance? he had wronged a cadet, a private in the ranks, 
and he could not sleep till the wrong was repaired. The matter was 
mentioned next morning at the mess-hall when we were breakfasting. 
The careless laughed and said : 'Old Jack is crazy.' 'I'he more thought- 
ful laid the matter away in their hearts to reflect on in after years, for 
many knew he was a stonezvall before he was christened by the fire 
and blood of Manassas."— .9. H. Mag., Vol. 9, pp. 425-6. 

Jackson's Humanity. — "We were encamped about tive miles east 
of the battle field (the first Bull Run), and from the impurity of the 
water and the stench from the surrounding country, the boys gave it 
the name of 'Camp Maggot.' A great many were taken sick at this 
camp and General Jackson turned the house that he used for his head- 
quarters into a hospital." — Caslcr's History, p. 48. 

Jackson Would Not Prohibit Ladies and Female Relatives of His 
Soldiers from Visiting the Camp. — "It was complained by one of 
his distinguished generals of division, in a severe paper, that ladies, 
mothers, wives and daughters had invaded the vicinity of our camp, 
and were diverting officers and men from their duty. \\'hen the paper 
was read to him, Jackson rose and paced the room imi)atiently, and, 
to the request that he would order the ladies to retire, he said: 'I 
will do no such thing; I am glad my people can have their friends with 
them ; I wnsh my wife could come to see me'." — .fames Pozvcr Smith. 

General Jackson Amenable to Reason. — General Taliaferro re- 
lates this incident in Jackson's career that shows how General Jackson 
held his equipoise under some provocation to become irritated, and 
immediately did what the oflfender suggested. In moving his division 
on the night of Jackson's march to the rear of Pope's Army, detach- 
ments of cavalry at intervals came into the road where the General's 
infantry was struggling along in the darkness, and added to the embar- 
rassments of the march — the foot soldiery having great difficulty in 
getting out of the way. This irritated the commander of the division 
so greatly that he gave vent to his indignation in language more 
vehement than classic. ;\.t last, a larger party of horsen;en than the 
usual number invading their passage, passed General Taliaferro, and 
crowded his men oft' the road, and destroyed (in large degrees) what 



160 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

little of organization the troops could maintain under the unhelpful 
conditions of the march. General Taliaferro called on the horsemen 
to halt, and ordered the infantry to stop their further progress, and 
threatened to have them pulled from their horses, and possibly well 
trampled as a punishment for their reckless conduct. Indeed, the Gen- 
eral admits he was very angry and he hardly remembered when he 
came to write about it, what were the expletives that he did use. Then 
one of the party called out : "This is General Jackson and his stafif." 
General Taliaferro made the best apology he could command, and, then 
with a soldier's boldness, he told the General that he was out of place, 
and that "I was too far in front myself — we were not near the leading 
regiment, and we had better halt and allow a brigade or two to pass 
before he ventured further." To this he willingly agreed, and the 
two generals remained together until the army was halted at dawn. 

General Jackson Rebukes His Staff. — A poor woman came to 
General Jackson's camp one day hunting for a son that was in his 
army. She was of very simple mind, utterly unused to the ways of 
military life, and addressed the General as Mr. Jackson. The General 
inquired the number of the regiment to which the young man be- 
longed. The mother replied that she did not knov.', nor could she give 
the General any information that would lead him to the identity of her 
son, seeming to think that the General would know each man individ- 
ually. At this dense want of knowledge, some of General Jackson's 
staff laughed. At this General Jackson turned and rebuked his staff 
severely. 

This 7ua^ given to me by Mr. Eugene Worthington. a private in the 
Confederate Army. 

General Jackson Sociable With His Soldiers. — While a severe 
disciplinarian who would tolerate no unmilitary conduct in privates or 
officers. General Jackson was kind and friendly to the soldiers of his 
command when proper occasion arrived. Mr. Arthur J. Wheatley, of 
Annapolis, is the authority for these facts given him by his uncle, the 
late Wm. A. Wheatley, of Kent County, Maryland, who was a private 
in the 26th Virginia Regiment. He says that while his uncle was on 
sentry duty at night, General Jackson had come out to the posts, and 
had there talked with him on many subjects, including battles past, but 
never of any military matters that were to come. He says General 
Jackson despised the guards' names being given to him on paper. He 
wanted the officers to know the men by their names. He knew the 



IlIK LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEl'T.-C.EN., C. S. A. 161 

soldier's names. (This evidently meant those that came ir. conin*>n 
contact with him in their duties.) 

General Jackson's Thoughtfulness for a Subordinate OfHcer. — At 

Cunningham's Ford, on the Rapi)ahannock, in the campaign against 
Pope, Major General \Vm. B. Taliaferro and General Jackson wore 
together. The enemy was showing itself in large force on the op- 
posite hank, on which General Taliaferro ran up several field pieces 
*o the front, which occasioned a brisk artillery duel. The guns were 
moved from time to time to disconcert the aim of the Federals, v,'ho 
had an excellent range on the Confederates, General Jackson approved 
of the disposition of the troops, which had been sent to the woods in 
the rear, and proposed to General Taliaferro that they ride to the 
batteries. Seeing no necessity to expose his staff, General Taliaferro 
sent them back and accompanied General Jackson. He took a position 
near the guns and appeared to be charmed with the work of the guns 
to such a degree that he apparently became oblivious to the danger 
to which he was exposed. "He was out of place undoubtedly," said 
General Taliaferro, "but he seemed to have forgotten himself in his 
eagerness to .see the guns served, leaning forward on his horse to watch 
the effect of the discharges, and now and then exclaiming in his quick, 
sharp way, when a shot told, 'Good, good.' Men and horses were 
killed around him, among them one of his couriers, but he did not seem 
to observe it or realize the situation. All at once, however, he turned 
to me and asked, as quietly as if he had been sitting in his tent, 'General, 
are you a man of family?' 'Yes,' I replied, T have a wife and five 
children at home, and my impression is that in less than five minutes 
there will be a widow and five orphans there.' 'Good, good,' and then 
suddenly, to the relief of all who were with him, it appeared to flash 
upon him, that however exciting the role of battery commander 
might be, it was not altogether consistent with the positicvi and re- 
sponsibility of the chief of a corps, and, giving orders to have the 
battery moved, he galloped away to the rear, in which retrograde move- 
ment I felt it my duty to accompany him. I have always had a sort 
of suspicion, however, that his own life was saved on that occasion 
by his sympathy for my wife and children'." 

The Humane Exchange of Medical Officers First Suggested by 
General Jackson. — The great character of Stonewall Jackson rises 
pyramidal from every side. To him belongs the honor of having first 
suggested and carried into execution the humane, early exchange of 



162 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

captured medical officers. In a letter from Dr. John S. Apperson, 
formerly hospital steward to Surgeon Harvey Black, from Harper's 
Ferry, Va., when the old Stonewall Brigade was organized up to the 
surrender at Appomatox, are taken the following facts ; 

"I remember, and very clearly, that about this time (the Valley 
Campaign), it was well understood that General Jackson regarded 
medical officers of the opposing army as non-combatants and not 
amenable to the same restrictions as other prisoners of war. And 
this is in perfect harmony with the Christian character of this great 
soldier. His courage, fidelity to duty and loyalty to his native State 
and the cause he loved were equalled only by his humanity. No mat- 
ter what the conditions were — whether in camp or on the march, in 
battle, flushed with victory or falling back before an overwhelming 
force, as he once or twice did, he never failed, to require the utmost 
care on the part of his medical officers for his sick and wounded, and a 
feeling of compassion, akin to sympathy, for a maimed and crippled 
foe was manifest in all he did. * * * 

"So great was General Jackson's concern for the sick and wounded 
of his army and the efficiency of his medical corps, he encouraged the 
organization of a traveling hospital or field infirmary. This was put 
in operation just before the battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 
1862, and it. has been a question with me whether or not this was 
the first undertaking of the kind in either army. It was a distinct 
organization, reporting directly to headquarters. It had its commis- 
sary and quartermaster, ambulances, transportation wagons, hospital 
tents, medical supplies, stewards, detailed nurses and matron, in addi- 
tion to a sufficient number of commissioned medical officers. As an 
interesting fact, there were also, as a part of this outfi.t, some ten or 
twelve milch cows, a part of which accompanied the arm}- through the 
Pennsylvania campaign and back to Virginia. * * * 

"If it (this letter) does nothing more, it will afi"ord such indis- 
putable evidence that the human exchange of medical officers was first 
suggested and practiced by General Jackson. 

"It is noteworthy that after this battle of Winchester ( May 25, 
1862), there was inaugurated a humanitarian movement in reference 
to surgeons left in charge of woimded prisoners, that has since become 
the rule among civilized nations engaged in war." — Conf. Military His- 
tory, pp .246-7, Vol. 3 ; South. Hist. Mag., Vol. 30. p. 233. 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 163 

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. 



OPINION OF STONEWALL JACKSON ON STRONG DRINK. 



Generals Jackson and J. E. B. Stuart Decline to Drink Liquor — ' 
Jackson Expresses Himself on the Taste of Liquor — Stonewall 
Jackson's Most Dreaded Foe. 

Generals Jackson and J. E. B. Stuart Decline to Drink Liquors. — 

General Jackson abhorred intoxicating liquors. When he had turned 
General Pope's flank and had captured his commissary stores, great 
quantities of liquor were amongst the spoils. A very conscientious 
Federal major, who was the post commissary, was amongst the prison- 
ers. He begged General Taliaferro to let him save his books so that 
he could account for his stores. General Taliaferro told him that the 
easiest way out of his difficulties was to report them as captured by the 
enemy. "I then," said the General, "requested liim to point out to me 
the barrels of whiskey and other liquors which were in store, that I 
might have them destroyed before the men could get access to them. 
This was done, but he commended to my own use a roundlct of cognac, 
as being much too good to be staved. At this moment General Jack- 
son and General Stuart entered the room, and I proposed lo share this 
spoil and to test at once the commissary's judginent. This they both 
declined to do, and I was obliged to drink 'better luck next time,' to 
my unfortunate host without their assistance'." 

Jackson Expresses Himself on the Taste of Liquor. — After the 
Maryland campaign, when General Jackson had turned toward Vir- 
ginia, "fatigued by the day's march," Jackson was persuaded by his 
host of the night to drink a whiskey toddy — "the only glass of 
spirits," says Colonel Hy. Kyd Douglas, of his staff, 'I ever saw him 
take." While the mfxture was being prepared, General Jackson said 
that "be believed he liked the taste of brandy and whiskey more than 
any soldier in the army ; that they were more palatable to him than the 
most fragrant coffee, and for that reason, and others, he rarely tasted 
them." — Battles and Leaders of the Civil JVar, Vol. 2, p. 223. 

Stonewall Jackstm's Most Dreaded Foe. — This statement was 
Written by a citizen of Norfolk, Va., once a Confederate soldier, and 
was first published in the Christian Observer, of Louisville, Ky., oa 
November 20, 1895 : 



164 A THESAURUS OF ANECD0TE;3 OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"About daylight of the day before the second battle of Manassas, 
I was ordered to report to General T. J. Jackson, with a detail of one 
hundred men for special duty. Upon arrival at the headquarters and 
making myself known by presenting the order of General J. E. B. 
Stuart, General Jackson told me to come with him, and rode some fifty 
or one hundred yards from his staff, turned towards me and halted. 
Then he said, 'Captain, do you ever use liquors?' I replied, 'No, sir.' 
He then said : 'I sent to General Steuart to send me a special detail of 
one hundred men under command of an officer who never used spirit- 
uous liquors. Are you that man ?' I said : 'Yes, sir, I was detailed on 
that account.' 

" 'Well, sir, I have an order to give, upon the full and exact execution 
of which depends the success of the present movement, and the result 
of the battle soon to be fought. Can I trust you to execute it ?' 

"I replied, that if to keep sober was all that was needful he could 
rely upon my obedience. 

"He said, 'No, that is not all, but unless you can resist temptation to 
drink you cannot carry out my orders ; but I will explain.' He then 
pointed to a large frame depot or warehouse and said: 'Take your 
command up to that warehouse, have a large number of barrels of 
bread rolled out and sent down the railroad to a point about five 
hundred yards from the warehouse, so that the men may get all the 
bread they want as they pass, and then take some picked men into the 
building and spill all the liquors there ; don't spare a drop, nor let any 
man taste it under any circumstances. I expect you to execute this 
order at any cost.' 

"He pulled down his cap and was about to ride back to his staff, when 
I said to him : 'General, suppose an officer of superior rank should 
order me under arrest and then gain possession of the warehouse?' 

"He said with an air of solemnity I shall never forget, coming close 
to me and looking as if he would look me through: 'Until I relieve 
you in person you are exempt from arrest except upon my order in 
writing.' He then said : 'I fear that liquor more than General Pope's 
Army,' and rode oft*. 

"I took my men to the warehouse, now so important in my eyes, and 
threw a guard around it, placing five men at each entrance, with orders 
neither to allow any one to enter, nor to enter themselves. I then put 
some prisoners under guard to roll out the bread nearest the doors. 



THE LIFE OF STOXFVVALL JACKSON. IJEUT.-r.EN'., C. S. A. 165 

In a little while this was done, and to guard was apparently all that 
was required. But in a little while I was called to one entrance to find 
a general ofticer with his staff demanding that the guards should either 
allow him to enter or bring out some liquor. Upon my refusal to 
comply with his request, he ordered his adjutant to place me under 
arrest. 

*"I told him that I was put there by General Jackson in person, and 
exempted from liability of arrest. He gave his staff an order to dis- 
mount and enter the warehouse, and I gave my men the order to level 
their guns, and 'make ready.' This made the thirsty General halt, and 
hold a consultation with his officers, who concluded to try persuasion. 
But they found no liquor could be had. They then asked my name, 
and to what command I belonged, and threatened to report me for diso- 
bedience of orders to a superior officer. 

"Just then General A. P. Hill came galloping up with his stall. 
I explained the situation to him, and soon saw that he took in the 
situation, as he ordered the thirsty squad off. Then he said : 'Have 
you orders to burn this building?' On my replying that I had not, he 
went oft*. Within an hour General Jackson sent me an order to burn 
the building. This I did. No man got a drink that day. And the 
foe that Stonewall Jackson most dreaded was powerless for evil." 



166 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. 



STONEWALL JACKSON WAS ADMIRED IN THE FEDERAL 

ARMY AND BELOVED IN THE CONFEDERATE 

SERVICE. 



The Soldiers Loved Jackson — The Soldiers Idolized Jackson — 
Jackson's Humanity to a Gallant Opponent — Jackson Praised Gen- 
eral Schenck's Stratagem in His Retreat — A Federal Colonel Wears 
Crape for Jackson — Jackson's Fame in the Union Army — '^Catching 
Stonewall Jackson" — Personal Popularity of Jackson — Respect for 
Jackson in Federal Ranks — Jackson Respected Friendship for a 
Brave Colored Man — General Jackson Did Not Believe in Killing 
Sentries. 

The Soldiers Loved Jackson. — "Chickahominy River was near by 
(June 28, 1862, the morning after the battle of Cold Harbor), and 
the enemy had destroyed the brigade in their retreat the night before, 
and we had to repair it before we could advance ; therefore, our portion 
of the army remained on the battle field all day and repaired the bridge. 
While six of us were carrying a log on the bridge with hand sticks, 
General Jackson was standing on the bridge, with his back towards us, 
directly in our way. As we were turning to one side to pass aroimd 
him, he noticed us, and quickly stepping to one side, he said, 'Oh, come 
on, never mind me,' as if he were somebody of small importance. 

"Those few words and his farewell address that I have mentioned 
were the only words that I ever heard him speak during the whole of 
liis military career. I have often been close to him, just before, during, 
and after a battle, and have seen couriers bring despatches to him which 
he would read, write out something, hand it back to them, and not 
open his mouth to speak during the time. I have seen some of his 
aides and staff officers ride up to him, when he was sitting on the 'old 
sorrel,' viewing the country, and tell him something about the lines, or 
something of importance, and he would calmly sit there for a few 
moments, then turn his horse and ride slowly away, his staff follow- 
ing, without uttering a single word. 

"Such was 'Stonewall' Jackson; a man of few words. He was not 
a man of moods ; but always the same. He kept his own counsel. Dick, 
his cook and camp servant, knew as much of his intentions as anybody. 
He said whenever Jackson got up at night and commenced to pray, he 



THE IJFR OF STON'EWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C S. A. 167 

immediately packed his haversack. ' 'Cos den I knowed dere wuz a 
move on hand,' he would say." 

"But the soldiers loved him. Every time he would pass our brigade, 
we would all commence cheering him, to see him raise his cap, show 
his high, bold forehead, and go dashing by in a gallop. No matter 
whether it was raining or snowing, the cap would be raised and kept off 
until he had passed the whole line." — Casler's History, pp. 127-8-9. 

The Soldiers Idolized General Jackson. — "He knew that his 
ragged and often starving soldiers idolized him and had the most im- 
plicit confidence in him, and yet he never oourted public demonstrations 
of any kind. However, his presence on the march and on the battle 
field always created the greatest enthusiasm. I often noticed that when 
cheered on the battle held, he would simply lift his hat in recognition 
of the shout, and immediately spur his old sorrel to get by as soon as 
possible. At Cedar Run, when he appeared in my front after we had 
driven the enemy, my men greeted him with one of their wild rebel 
yells, and when it had subsided many called out : 'Let General Jack- 
son tell us what he wishes done, and we will do it.' In recognition of 
such enthusiasm on the battle held, he simply bared his head and said 
not a word." — Brig. General James H. Lane. 

Jackson's Humanity to a Gallant Opponent. — In one of its en- 
gagements, the Stonewall Brigade had to defend a railroad cut. A 
New York Regiment, the 52nd, was ordered to charge the Confed- 
erates. At that moment the ammunition of the Stonewall Brigade 
had given out, and they were using rocks to defend the position. The 
Major of the New York Regiment led the bayonet charge. As the 
Confederates were giving way. General Steuart arrived with his caval- 
ry and saved the day. The New York Major fell with a fatal wound 
and was left on the field, as his soldiers retreated. Stonewall Jackson, 
at this moment, called out to his men : "Tell the Surgeons to take that 
man (meaning the Federal Major), to the hospital and do al! they can 
for him. I never saw a braver charge." When this news was carried to 
the New Yorkers, they raised in camp "Three cheers for Stonctvall 
Jackson!" This incident ivas related to me by Mr. Georni* May, 
Keeper of the National Cemetery at Annapolis, Md., who was a soldier 
in the charge, and was ivounded and lay on the battle field for several 
days. He states that the report of the cheers was given him after he 
returned to his lines. 



168 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AN,D INCIDENTS IN 

Jackson Praises General Schenck's Stratagem in His Retreat. — 

Major Dabney, who was with Jackson at McDowell, says: "Soon 
the sky was overcast with volumes of smoke, and wrapped every 
distant object in a veil impenetrable to the eyes and the telescopes of 
the officers alike. Through this sultry fog the pursuing army felt its 
way cautiously along, while it was protected from ambuscade only by 
detachments of skirmishers who scoured the burning woods on each 
side of the highway. As fast as these could scramble over the precip- 
itous hills and the blazing thickets, the great column crept along the 
main road like a lazy serpent, the General far in advance of its head in 
his eagerness to overtake the foe. He (Jackson), declared that this 
smoke was the most adroit expedient to which a retreating army could 
resort to embarrass pursuit, and that it entailed upon him all the 
disadvantages of a night attack. By slow approaches and constaivt 
skirmishing, the enemy were driven to the village of Franklin, when 
the double darkness of the night and the fog again arrested his 
progress." — Dabney, p. 35. 

A Federal Colonel Wears Crape for Jackson. — Colonel Charles 
L. K. Sumwalt, colonel of the 138th Pennsylvania, had such respect for 
General Jackson that, upon his death, he wore crape in honor of his 
memory. This officer was thereupon arrested. He was deposed from 
his command, and finally released from arrest on his parole that he 
would not visit the regiment that he had commanded and would "in all 
things conduct himself as a loyal citizen of the United States." — Balti- 
more Sun. of May 19, 1863. 

Jackson's Fame in the Union Army. — As Jackson's star of genius 
rose above the horizon of fame, and won for him the love and confi- 
dence of the Confederate Army, so grew the respect and admiration of 
the Federals for his skill, courage and military success. Nearly a half 
century after the war was over, a Union soldier of Annapolis, Md., 
Mr. Louis Brewer, said to the author: "We had great respect for him. 
He was a great fighter." 

Casler jn his History of the Stonewall Brigade, w-rites that when he 
was in Fort McHenry, towards the close of the war, as a prisoner, 
"Lovett (one of the Confederate prisoners), wanted to raise some 
money one day, and adopted a novel plan to do so. He had an old 
.watch key, and walked up and down with the sentenel with the key in 
his hand until he attracted the sentinel's attention to it, and then re- 



THE LIKE OF STONEWAI.I, JACKSON, MEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 169 

Miarked that there was a key tliat once belonged to 'Stonewall Jackson.' 
The sentinel wanted to buy it at once ; but, of course, Lo\'ett wcjuld not 
part with it for any consideration. Finally, after a great amount of 
begging, Lovett was induced to take five dollars for it. I suppose that 
key is held as a trophy to this day. hut Jackson never saw that ke_\'." 

Personal Popularity of Jackson. — On the morning- after the battle 
of Malvern Hill, he (Jackson), was riding on the left of his line, when 
he met Colonel Munford of the cavalry, and after some words upon 
military matters, asked him if he had managed to secure some break- 
fast. The Colonel informed him that he had, and Jackson asked : 

"I should like to have some myself. I wonder if I could get .some 
buttermilk ?" 

"Yes, General, come with me," was Colonel Munford's answer. 

And they rode to the plain mansion in which an old lady of the 
humbler class had furnished Coloned Munford with his breakfast. 

"Can I get some break'fast for General Jackson, madam?" asked the 
officer. "He has had none to-day." 

"For whom?" exclaimed the good woman, pausing in her work and 
looking earnestly at the speaker. 

"For General Jackson," was the Colonel's reply. 

"General Jackson! That is not General Jackson!" she exclaimed, 
l>ointing to the man in the dingy uniform. 

"Yes, it is, madam." 

The old lady gazed at the General for a moment in silence ; her face 
flushed red, and raising both hands she suddenly burst into tears. 

Everything in her house was produced without delay, including the 
longed-for buttermilk ; but nothing, evidently, in the old lady's esti- 
mation was good enough for her hero. These things touched Jackson 
more than the plaudits of victory. — Stonewall Jackson, by John Estcn 
Cooke, pp. 248-9. 

Respect for Jackson in Federal Ranks. — "While we were in con- 
versation," said a Federal Officer in Harper's Ferry, soon after the 
surrender of General White, with 11,000 troops and their equipment 
and stores on September 15. 1862, to General Jackson, "an orderly 
rode rapidly across the bridge, and said to General Jackson ; 

■■ T am ordered by General McLaws to report to you that General 
McClellan is within six miles with an immense army!' 



170 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"Jackson took no notice of the orderly, apparently, and continued his 
conversation ; but when the orderly had turned away, Jackson called 
after him with the question : 

"'Has General McClellan any baggage train or drove of cattle?' 

"The reply was that he had. Jackson remarked that 'he could whip 
any army that was followed by a flock of cattle' — alluding to the hungry 
condition of his men. 

"It is a well known fact that the Federal troops, instead of regarding 
their conqueror with a sentiment of hatred, exhibited the liveliest ad- 
miration for him and curiosity to see him. Many desired to shake 
hands with him and did so. This feeling of the Northern troops was 
displaved upon many occasions. A gentleman of Culpepper was offered 
by a Federal soldier $500 in "greenbacks' for Jackson's autograph, but 
refused it ; and a Federal ofiicer said to a member of General Long- 
street's staff whilst a prisoner in Washington : 

"I believe if we w^ere to capture Stonewall Jackson, our troops would 
cheer his as he passed along." — John Fasten Cooke, Biography of Jack- 
son, p. 326. 

Jackson's Respect and Friendship for a Brave Colored Man. — 'T 

used to fancy," said General Taylor, "that there was an innate sym- 
pathy between General Jackson and Tom (an old colored family servant 
that General Taylor had with him, who had served in the Florida 
and Mexican campaigns with several of General Taylor's immediate 
relatives, and would come with the General to the Civil War), as 
they sat silent by a camp fire, the latter respectfully withdrawn, and 
an incident here at Strasburg cemented their friendship. When my 
command was called into action, I left Tom on a hill where all was 
quiet. Thereafter, from a change in the enemy's disposition, the place 
became rather hot, and, Jackson, passing by, advised Tom to move ; 
but he replied, if the general pleased, his master had told him to stay 
there and would not know^ where to find him. Two or three nights later, 
Jackson was at my fire when Tom came to give me some coffee ; 
whereupon Jackson rose, and gravely shook him by the hand, and then 
told me the above." 

Jackson Did Not Believe in Killing Sentries. — When Captain 
Harry Gilmor, one of the most trusted Confederate scouts, had spared 
the life of a Federal Sentry whom he had come upon unawares in the 
dark, he told General Jackson what he had done. During the recital of 
the incident the General interrupted Captain Gilmor by saying : 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAI.I. JACKSON, IJEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 171 

"That was right : that was right. I do not Hke this killing of 
sentries." 

Not only was Jackson tenderhearted, but was most appreciative of 
services rendered to him or the army. In February, 1862, Captain 
Gilmor had great difficulty in obtaining information in regard to the 
movements of General Banks, but he finally obtained it by his own per- 
sonal eflforts and sight of Bank's army. To Captain Gilmor Jackson 
gave his warmest thanks, when the Captain reported to him the facts 
that he had secured. 

Shortly after the battle of Port Republic, Captain Gilmor, then being 
at Staunton, rode over to see General Jackson at his quarters in the 
vicinity. Captain Gilmor says : "I found Jackson at a farm-house. 
When I entered, he shook me warmly by the hand, assuring me 
that I had done him good service. After dinner he rode away, and 
his staff united in saying that I ought to feel proud, for they had never 
known the general to sav so much to a voung officer." 



172 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

(^HAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. 



PERSONAL TRAITS IN STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Jackson Thrashes a Youth for Insulting a Girl — Jackson Gave 
His Inheritance to His Benefactors — Jackson Would Not Dissimu- 
late for Politeness' Sake — Jackson's Courtesy to Women — Jackson 
Waited for Orders to Change His Winter Uniform — An Element 
of Jackson's Greatness — Jackson Puts a Quietus on Flippant Con- 
versation — General Jackson Lived by the Golden Rule — Why Jack- 
son Had His Photograph Taken. 

Jackson Thrashes a Youth for Insulting a Girl. — "While on his 
way to school, an overgrown rustic behaved rudely to one of the girls. 
Jackson was fired at his cowardly conduct, and told him he must apolo- 
gize at once, or he would 'thrash him.' The big fellow, supposing he 
was an overmatch for him, refused, whereupon Jackson pitched into 
him, and gave him a severe pounding."— il/r.?. Jackson's Life of Jack- 
son, p. 27. 

General Jackson Gave His Inheritance to His Benefactors — 

Thomas Jonathan Jackson, when yet in his teens, inherited a few 
hundred dollars from his Uncle Cummings' estate. This he gave to 
his aunt, Mrs. White, who was in needy circumstances, as an act of 
gratitude for having been sheltered imder her roof, when a very little 
boy. 

Jackson Would Not Dissimulate for Politeness' Sake. — "One of 
his (Jackson's) most rigid rules was never to eat a morsel after his 
frugal supper. (He was a great sufferer from indigestion.) Hence, 
in the refreshments offered at a later hour, he refused to have any part, 
to the distress of his hostesses. Amidst the clatter of china and con- 
versation, and the sparkle of wines and ices, the tall form of the 
Major stood firm ; polite, yet constrained, in the gay throng, but not of 
it. When a friend urged him at least to avoid the awkwardness of the 
position for himself and the hostess, by seeming to participate, his 
answer was he did not consider it truthful to seem to do what he was 
not really doing." — Dabney's Life of Jackson, p. 77. 

Jackson's Courtesy to Women. — While in camp (before the Civil 
\\'ar ) Brigadier-General James H. Lane, C S A., then a cadet at the 
Virginia Military Institute, says : "My sister met, during her stay 



TIIK LIFK OF STONKWAI.L JACKSoX, l.IKUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 173 

at the Rcx'kbridge Alum, Prof. Jackson, wlio was exceedingly polite 
and deferential. She was deeply impressed by his delicate and gentle- 
manly attention and kindness to her — a young girl just from school — 
and it was through her that I first learned to honor the then unknown 
hero for his chivalrous bearing in the presence of women." 

Jackson Waited for Orders to Change His Winter Uniform. — 

"We have heard that he once continued to wear a thick woolen uniform 
late in the summer, and when asked by one of the professors (at \'. M. 
I.) why he did so, replied that he had seen an order prescribing that 
dress, but none had been exhibited to him directing it to be changed." — 
A Virginian's Life of Jackson, p. 20. 

An Element of Jackson's Greatness. — "One element of General 
Jackson's greatness and success was the decision and confidence with 
which he held to the conclusions of his own judgment after he had 
once made them. His reflection was careful, his caution in weighing 
all competent considerations great ; but when once his mind adopted 
its verdict, it held to it with unwavering and giant grasp." — Dahney. 

Jackson Puts a Quietus on Flippant Conversation. — General 
Bradley T. Johnson relates, that, after sampling some apple jack, I^r. 
Hunter McGuire, Jackson's Medical Director, and himself, at the sup- 
per table with General Jackson, indulged in a learned discussion upon 
the uses and abuses of alcohol, deploring its bad effects. General 
Jackson was rigid, turning neither to the right nor left, and said Gen- 
eral Johnson, "let the cockrels crow^ themselves out." This over, he 
announced, "I like the taste and the effect of both. That's the reason I 
never touch it." General Johnson confessed that he never knew 
whether or not General Jackson had taken note of the effects of the 
apple jack or had smelled its odor on the moralists, "but he shut us 
up," said General Johnson. 

General Jackson Lived by the Golden Rule. — General Jackson en- 
deavored to do unto others what he wished others to do to him. He 
made provisions for his colored slaves to go to church, even though 
far from them. This extract from a letter to a friend shows his spirit 
of care and thoughtfulness for even the humblest : 

"I desire, if practicable, that my boys shall have the oportunity of 
attending the colored Sabbath School at Lexington, if it is still in 
operation. I am glad to hear that they are both well, and I trust, 
through the blessing of an overruling Providence, serving you faith- 



174 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

fully. * * * Should you not need George, please hire him to some 
suitable person, with the condition that, if in or near town, he be re- 
quired to attend Sabbath School ; and, wherever he may be, let him be 
required to attend church at suitable times, as I am very desirous that 
the spiritual interests of my servants shall be attended to." 

Writing from his headquarters at Winchester, after describing them, 

.General Jackson added: "Through the blessing of our over-kind 

Heavenly Father, I am quite comfortable." In the theory of this 

world's government, down to its minutest affairs. General Jackson 

believed that "God reigneth." 

When Secretary Benjamin interfered with his plans and gave a 
military order over his head, and General Jackson had written to Gov^. 
Letcher, of Virginia, either to have him ordered back to the Virginia 
Military Institute or to accept his resignation, he added : "If ever I ac- 
quired, through the blessing of Providence, any influence over troops, 
this undoing my work by the Secretary may greatly diminish that in- 
fluence." 

General Jackson Had His Photograph Taken. — To the entreaties 
of a little lassie in her early teens, the world is indebted to the best 
of the portraits of Stonewall Jackson. It was in the fall of 1862, when 
at Winchester, Va., at Dr. McGuire's suggestion. General Bradley T. 
Johnson, desired General Jackston to have his photograph taken. He 
postponed the request and "rather pooh-poohed the notion, as rather 
weak, for a man to have his photograph taken." Dr. McGuire and 
General Johnson parted. In the afternoon they met in camp, when 
Dr. McGuire informed General Johnson that General Jackson had had 
his photograph taken. The doctor said that, at the dinner table, his 
little sister had "got to teasing him about it. and he agreed, and he, 
she and I went down to Rantzahu's and had it taken." The General 
had his hair trimmed before he appeared in front of the camera. 

This photograph is reproduced as the frontispiece in Mrs. Jackson's 
life of her distinguished husband. 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 175 

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. 



THE HUMOROUS IN STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Stonewall Jackson's Sense of Humor — Jackson Enjoys a Kicking 
Horse — He Pleaded Grey Hairs to Head off Requests for His Locks 
— Jackson Made to Smile — A Cadet Makes Stonewall Jackson 
Laugh — Jackson's Humor Just Before the Battle of Fredericksburg 
— Jackson Terms His Father-in- Law's Book, "Political Heresies" 
— Jackson a Difficult Man to Joke With — A Plesantry by General 
Jackson — Jackson Throws the Javelin of Wit 

Stonewall Jackson's Sense of Humor. — It has been often incor- 
rectly stated that Stonewall Jackson had no sense of humor. The 
statement is far from the truth. He had other aims in life than that 
of being a recounter of funny stories, yet when the ludicrous pre- 
sented itself he fully enjoyed it. A correspondent in The Baltimore 
Sun, under the signature of "H." relates that one night during the 
Civil War, he was with his father, a member of General Stonewall 
Jackson's stafif, riding with General Jackson and his staff from Stras- 
burg, Va., to Winchester, Vsl., when his father, a Massachusetts man, 
told this story: "In the early days of the Puritans, a man met one 
of them going out into the woods with a gim and he said : 'Where are 
you going?' 

" 'To the woods.' 

" 'What are you taking your gun with you for?' 

" 'I might meet an Indian.' 

" 'Are you not a Calvinist ?' 

" T am, in deed and in truth.' 

" 'You can't die then till your time comes.' 

" 'Know that.' 

" 'Then why carry the gun?' 

" 'I might meet an Indian whose time had come.' 

"Stonewall Jackson," says the correspondent, "laughed most heart- 

iiy.'' 

The author suggests that the author of this communcation' was prob- 
ably the son of Major Jed Hotchkiss. Jackson's chief engineer. 

Jackson Enjoys a Kicking Horse — Mr. E. A. Craighill, of Lexing- 
ton, Va., a member of the Stonewall Brigade, gives this incident to 
The Baltimore Sun: 



176 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"After the first battle of Manassas the Stonewall Brigade was 
camped beyond and not far from Centreville. One evening a member 
of his (Jackson's staff), Major Paxton, afterward General Paxton, 
was amusing some of his friends in front of headquarters with a buck- 
ing, kicking horse. The horse kicked up his heels, reared and plunged, 
behaving very badly. So far as I knew, 'Old Jack,' as he was called 
by the soldiers behind his back, was not noticing what was going on ; 
but he was, and when the horse would kick or buck, he would laugh 
as heartily and merrily as a child." 

Jackson Pleaded Grey Hairs to Head off Requests for His Locks. 

—■"I remember that two young girls in a mansion on the Rappahannock 
were with great earnestness asking for locks of his hair. Blushing like 
a girl himself, he pleaded that they had so much more hair than he had ; 
then that he had grey hairs, and their friends would think he was an 
old man. They protested that he had no grey hairs, and was not an 
old man, when he said: 'Why don't you know the boys call me "Old 
Jack ?' " — James Poivcr Smith. 

Jackson Made to Smile. — The following was related to the author 
of this book by my father, Elihu S. Riley, Sr. : 

Immediately preceding the capture of General Miles at Harper's 
Ferry, General Jackson stopped at Buckeystown, in Frederick Co., Md. 
My father and brother were, at that time, visiting relatives in that 
neighborhood, and were in Buckeystown when General Jackson halted. 
When my father learned that this distinguished general was present, 
he was very anxious for his son to see the great soldier. So, in a state 
of enthusiastic interest, he made a hasty detour of the crowd of civilians 
present to the place where my brother was, and called out loudly and 
excitedly : "Dick ! Dick ! There's Stonewall Jackson !" General Jack- 
son, who had noticed the incident, was very much amused, and a 
broad smile lit up his face. 

A Cadet Makes Stonewall Jackson Laugh.— There came a day in 
the history of the Virginia Military Institute, when Major Jackson, in- 
structor in Artillery, and Professor of Natural and Economic Philoso- 
phy, became the Acting Commandant. On this occasion a cadet ap- 
peared before him to answer for a dereliction of duty while on the 
artillery drill of the preceding day. His excuse was : "Major, when 
the order was given yesterday to gallop, I did not gallop because I can't 
gallop, because I am a natural born pacer." Major Jackson laughed, 



TIIK LIFE OK STOXEWALl. JACKSON', LIEUT.-GKX., C. S. A. 177 

it is said, the only laugh he was known to indulge in the whole time he 
was at the Institute, and accepted the explanation of the accused. 

This incident was rehitcd to nie by Mr. Alston, a cadet at the V. M. I., 
who found it amongst the traditions of the institute. 

Jackson Just before the Battle of Fredericksburg. — "Lee stood 
ujxjn his chosen hill of observation, inspiring every spectator by his 
calm heroism, with his two great Lieutenants beside him, and reviewed 
every quarter of the field with his glass. It was then that Longstreet, 
to whose sturdy breast the approach of battle seemed to bring gayety, 
said to Jackson : 'General, do not all these multitudes of Federals 
frighten you?' He replied: 'We shall see very soon, whether I shall 
not frighten them.' Such was the jest in which the stern joy of battle 
in their spirits found utterance while other hearts still with awe." — 
Dabncy's Life, Vol. I. p. 611. 

At Fredericksburg, in the midst of battle. General Jackson was not 
immune to the humors of its dangers. When a bullet from a sharp- 
shooter passed between himself and his aide. Captain James Power 
Smith, with a "strong smile on his face," General Jackson said : " Mr. 
Smith, had you not better go to the rear? They may shoot you." The 
accuracy of the sharpshooter seemed to strike him as a pleasant jest. — 
Dabney's Life, \o\. I, p. 613. 

Political Heresies. — "Dr. George Junkin, president of Washington 
College, and father of the first Mrs. Jackson, went back to Pennsyl- 
vania, at the opening of the war, and wrote a vigorous book on the 
errors into which he thought the South had fallen. He forwarded a 
copy of his book, under a flag of truce, from General Hooker's head- 
quarters to General Lee's. It came to us about the time of the 
battle of Fredericksburg, and when I opened the package, and told the 
General its title, 'Political Heresies,' he said with a grim smile: 'I 
expect it is well-named. Captain ; that's just what the book contains, 
'Political Heresies'." — James Pozvcr Smith. 

Jackson a Difficult Man to Joke With. — Jackson "was a diflicult 
man to joke with, and it was not a safe thing always to try it, but 
occasionally when he did see a joke he would laugh very heartily about 
it. When he did laugh, he generally threw his hand up. opened his 
mouth pretty wide but made no noise. I used to tell him some little 
jokes that were going on in the army, but they had to be very plain ones 
for him to see. I remember one : he asked me to tell Major Hawks, 



178 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

who was the chief commissary of his corps, to send our mess some 
chickens if he could get them. The Major told me to tell General 
Jackson that he had none; that the Hawks had eaten them all up." — 
Dr. Hunter McGuire. 

A Pleasantry by General Jackson. — "Our conversation (between 
Major-General John G. Walker, C. S. Army, and General Robert E. 
Lee), was interrupted at this point by the arrival of Stonewall Jack- 
son, and after a few minutes Lee and Jackson turned to the capture of 
Harper's Ferry. I remember Jackson seemed in high spirits, and even 
indulged in a little mild pleasantry about his long neglect of his friends 
in 'the Valley,' General Lee replying that Jackson had 'some friends' in 
that region who would not, he feared, be delighted to see him." 

"The arrival of a party of ladies from Frederick, Md., and vicinity, 
to pay their respects to Lee and Jackson, put an end to the conversa- 
tion." — Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. 2, p. 606. 

Jackson Throws the Javelin of Wit. — Jackson's ability to cast 
the dart of humor was more than once displayed. On hearing that a 
certain officer had been wounded, he sarcastically observed that it "must 
have been given him in the accidental discharge of his duty.'' 



THE I^IFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 179 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. 



THE REAL STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Jackson a Youth of Exemplary Habits — Jackson Cheerful and 
Generous — A Pen Portrait of Jackson — Jackson's Refinement — 
Jackson a Man of Lofty and Tender Sentiment — A Prophecy About 
Jackson — Jackson Thankful for Blessings — Jackson Exceedingly 
Courteous — The Death of Albert Sydney Johnson Mourned by 
Jackson — Jackson a Perfect Gentleman — Jackson at Church — Jack- 
son in Social Life — Jackson's Personal Habits in the Army. 

A Youth of Exemplary Habits. — "He (Jackson), was a youth of 
exemplary hal)its, of indomitable will and undaunted courage. He 
possessed in an eminent degree a talent for mathematics, and was vm- 
willing, while at school, to acknowledge his incapacity —give him time — 
to solve a proposition. He was not what is nowadays termed brilliant; 
but he was one of those untiring, matter-of-fact persons who would 
never give up when engaged in an undertaking." — Opinion of an ac- 
quaintance. Mrs. Jackson's Life of Jackson, p. 27. 

Jackson Cheerful and Generous. — "His temper as a boy was 
■cheerful and generous, and his truth fvilness proverbial. There was an 
instinctive courtesy in his conduct ; his sense of justice was very strong ; 
and as long as he met with fair treatment from his associates, he was 
gentle and peaceable ; but he was quick to resent an insult, and in boyish 
combat he would never yield to defeat. He was a mingler in boyish 
sports; an expert in climbing and jumping; and, whenever he was 
captain in any game, his side was pretty sure to come off victorious." 
— Mrs. Jackson's Life of Jackson, p. 25. 

A Pen Portrait of Stonewall Jackson. — "Jackson had little humor. 
He was not sour or gloomy, nor did he grimly look upon 'fun' as some- 
thing which a good Presbyterian sh(iuld avoid. He was perfectly 
•cheerful, liberal and rational in this, as in everything, but he had no ear 
for humor, as some persons have none for music. 

"A man more guiltless of poetry, in thought or deed. T suppose never 
lived. His poetry was the cannon's flash, the rattle of musketry and 
the lurid cloud of battle. 

"His bearing was neither striking, graceful, nor impressive. He 
rode ungracefully, walked with an awkward stride, and wanted ease 
of manner. He never lost a certain shyness in company. 



180 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"But personally he made a most agreeable impression by his delight- 
fully natural courtesy. His smile was as sweet as a child's, and 
eivdently sprang from his goodness of heart. His voice in ordinary 
conversation was subdued and pleasant from its friendly and courteous 
tone, though injured by the acquired habit — a West Pointism — of 
cutting off, so to speak, each word and leaving each to take care of 
itself. This was always observable in his manner of talking, but brief- 
est of the brief, curtest of the curt, was Stonewall Jackson on the field 
of battle, and at 'work,' his never failing regard for the comfort and 
the feelings of the private soldier, his oddities, his eccentricities and 
originalities, all were an unfailing provocation to endearing him to 
his men. 

"Jackson appeared to me to be an eminently rational, judicious and 
sensible person in conversation, and the world must determine whether 
there was any 'craze,' any flaw, or crack, or error in the terribly logical 
processes of his brain as a fighter of armies. The present writer be- 
lieves himself to be familiar with every detail of his career and cannot 
recall one blunder. The lighter graces were denied him, but not the 
abiding charm. Jackson was poetic. He learned the Spanish language 
because he could express the tenderest sentiments more perfectly than 
he could in his native tongue." — John Bstcn Cooke in U'^earmg of the 
Grey. 

Jackson's Refinement.- — Referring to a coarse picture that had 
been drawn in print of General Jackson, Mrs. Elizabeth Preston Allan, 
who knew General Jackson from her earliest childhood, and whose 
husband and father were on Jackson's staff, wrote : "We certainly got 
no such picture of Jackson from *the intimacies of daily intercourse. 
Major Jackson, as he lived among us at Lexington, Va., before the war, 
was a man of the highest courtesy, careful in dress and appearance, 
as are all West Pointers. He showed great refinement of thought and 
speech, and an unusual gentleness of manner, and was a lover of 
children." 

Stonewall Jackson a Man of Both Lofty and Tender Sentiment. — 

"The kind of friends to whom I am most attached are those with whom 
I feel at home, and to whom I go at all proper times, and informally 
tell them of the object of my call, with the assurance that, if practicable, 
they will join me in carrying out my plans." — General Jackson's letter 
to a friend. 



THE LIFE OK STOXEVVAIJ. JACKSON, I,1EUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 181 

"In conversation, if lie unintentionally made a misstatement of no 
moment whatever, as soon as he discovered his mistake, he would lose 
no time in correcting it, even if he had to go upon the mission in a 
])ouring rain.'" — Mrs. Jackson, p. 69. 

A Prophecy About Jackson. — The character of Thomas Jonathan 
Jackson was such that he was great in whatever situation he was placed. 
Long before he had risen to fame, one who knew him said of him, that 
"he had the elements of a hero in him." He was heroic in every stage 
of life — because he rendered to every duty his highest service, and that 
utterly regardless of the opinion of others and of the results to him- 
self. Of himself he said: "T do rejoice to walk in the love of God." 
That was the spirit that made his religious life great and conspicuous. 
Those who saw his blameless life, could not help but take notice of 
him. The Rev. James Power Smith who was on General Jackson's 
staff, said of him: "God gave unity to his religion and unitv to his 
life." "He came nearer putting God in God's place than any man we 
have ever known." — Rcz'. Dr. Stiles. 

'J'here was fidelity to his opinions with General Jackson, but no nar- 
rowness in his religious views. "Having strong attachment to the 
church of which he was a member, and positive convictions concern- 
ing what he thought was true and right, he was yet generous and 
catholic in his esteem of all other churches, and had sincere respect 
for the views of others. Ruling himself with a severe discipline in 
things he deemed right, he was never censorious or dictatorial. He 
worshipped in all churches alike with devoutness and comfort. He 
encouraged the chaplains of all churches, Protestant and Catholic. A 
Protestant and a Presbyterian of Presbyterians, he obtained the ap- 
])ointment of a; Catholic priest to a chaplaincy." 

Jackson Thankful for Blessings.- — The side-lights on General 
Jackson's religious life give ennobling views of his splendid character. 
To his wife he writes : 

"I derive an additional pleasure in reading a letter from the con- 
viction that it has not travelled on Sunday. How delightful will be 
our heavenly home, where everything is sanctified." 

Again, "I am sometimes afraid that you will make such an idol of 
that baby that God will take her from us. Are you not afraid of it? 
Kiss her for her father." 



182 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"I am thankful to see that our kind Heavenly Father is again re- 
storing mother to health. I felt uneasy about her, and thought that 
Joseph had better make a visit home. I have made the restoration 
of mother's health a subject of prayer: but then we know that our 
dear ones are mortal, and that God does not always answer prayer 
according to our erring judgment. I think that if, when we see our- 
selves in a glass,, we should consider that all of us that is visible must 
turn to corruption and dust, we would learn more justly to appreciate 
the relative importance of the body that perishes and the soul that is 
immortal." 

Jackson Exceedingly Courteous. — General Jackson was the es- 
sence of courtesy to his command. On one occasion when his lines 
extended up to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, he rode up alone to 
the single Confederate soldier at a station, and doffing his hat asked, 
what was its name. On receiving it, he thanked the soldier for the 
information and rode off. Related to the author by the soldier zvhom 
Jackson interrogated. 

Saddened by the Death of General Albert Sydney Johnson. — 

General Jackson's broad-heartedness extended his sympathies in many 
directions. After the battle of Shiloh, he wrote his wife of this engage- 
ment : "God gave us a glorious victory in the Southwest, but the loss 
of the great Albert Sydney Johnson is to be mourned. I do not 
remember having ever felt so sad at the death of any man whom I had 
never seen." 

Jackson a Perfect Gentleman. — "An English gentleman of rank, 
and of large touch with polite society, at the end of a week's sojourn, 
spent chiefly in General Jackson's command, said : 'He is a revelation 
to me; Jackson is the best informed soldier I have met in America, 
and as perfect a gentleman as I have ever known'." — James Power 
Smith. 

Jackson at Church. — Jackson "attended preaching with the pro- 
foundest reverence and respect at every opportunity, but when Captain 
Pendleton, afterward General Pendleton, would commence his sermon, 
Jackson always sat upright, as stiff as if he had a ram-rod down his 
back, with folded arms and closed eyes, seemingly sound asleep. He 
might not have been, and I have many times wondered since if he was 
not then working out in his wonderful brain some of those strategic 
marvels that afterward made him famous all the world over." — E. A. 
' Craighill, member of the Stoneivall Brigade. 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 183 

Jackson in Social Life. — "At Moss Neck, through the last winter 
of his life, he made himself the playmate of Janie Corbin, the sweet 
child of six years, with -whom he played and romped for an hour or 
more each afternoon. He enjoyed the table talk of staff and giiests 
and laughed heartily at the stories of some of the best conversation- 
alists we have ever known. No guest received so cordial a welcome as 
General Stuart, whose gayety and exhuberance of spirit gave him the 
greatest delight. It was the General's own humor that set certain 
travelled gentlemen of his party to discussing the part of France from 
which a bottle of wine came, which was really made at Front Royal, 
in the Valley of Virginia." — Rev. James Power Smith, Captain on the 
staff of General Jackson, in The Baltimore Sun, of Sept. 12, 1911. 

Jackson's Personal Habits in the Army. — "Jackson in the army 
was not a sociable man. He seemed to prefer his own company to 
any one else's, never entering into conversation, and it is doubtful if he 
ever indulged in light talk in his life. His mind seemed always occu- 
pied in weighty matters, he rarely spoke to anyone unless he had 
something to communicate, yet, if any one had business with him, he 
was always patient to hear, courteous and gentlemanly, but with no 
disposition to prolong the conversation when he was through with the 
business. He would sit for hours by himself with his eyes closed, may 
be praying, but he seemed to be asleep." —£. A. Craighill, a member of 
the Stonewall Brigade. 



184 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. 



OPINIONS ON THE MILITARY GENIUS OF 
STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Jackson's Valley Campaign Declared by von Moltke to Be With- 
out a Rival — General Lee's Opinion of Jackson — Wolseley's Opinion 
of Jackson — Jackson Disappointed His Critics — Opinions of Jack- 
son's Military Merits — Tributes to Stonewall Jackson — A Federal 
General's Opinion of Jackson — General Lee Praises Jackson — 
Jackson's Master Stroke — The Attack on Hooker's Rear at Chan- 
cellorsville — General Pershing's Tribute. 

Jackson's Valley Campaign Declared by von Moltke to Be With- 
out a Rival. — Dr. Hunter McGuire. General Jackson's Surgeon- 
General, in a lecture to the cadets of the Virginial Military Institute, 
said : 

"It was with swelling heart and deep thankfulness, that 1 recently 
heard some of the first soldiers and military students of England declare 
that, within the last two hundred years, the English speaking race had 
produced but five soldiers of first rank — Marlborough, Washington, 
Wellington, Robert Lee and Stonewall Jackson — I heard them declare 
that Jackson's campaign in the Shenandoah \'alley, in which you, and 
you, and you, and I myself in subordinate places, who followed this 
immortal, was the finest specimen of strategy and tactics ot which the 
world has any record ; that; in the series of marches and battles, there 
was never a blunder committed by Jackson ; that his campaign in the 
Valley was superior to that made by Napoleon in Italy. One British 
officer who teaches strategy in a great European College, told me that 
he used this campaign as a model of strategy and tactics and dwelt 
upon it for several months in his lectures ; that it was taught for 
months of each session in the schools of Germany, and that v'on Moltke, 
the great strategist, declared that it was without a rival in the Avorld's 
history. This same British officer told me that he had ridden on horse- 
back over the battle-fields of the Valley and carefully studied the 
strategy and tactics there displayed by Jackson. He had followed 
him to Richmond, where he joined Lee in the campaign against Mc- 
Clellan in 1862 ; that he had followed his detour around Pope — his 
management of his troops at Second Manassas; that he had studied 
his environment of Harper's Ferry, and its capture ; his part of the 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 185 

figiit at Sharpsl)urg. and his flank movement around Hooker, and that 
he had never blundered. 'Indeed,' he added, 'he .seemed to me in- 
spired.' Another British soldier told me that for its numbers, the army 
of the Northern Virginia had more force and power than any other 
army that ever existed."- — Dr. Hunter McGuirc, in the Confederate 
Cause, p. 195. 

Lee's Opinion of Jackson. — On October 2, 1862, General Lee 
suggested to Jefferson Davis that the Army of Northern Virginia 
should be combined in two corps, with Jackson and Longstreet 
as their commanders. "My opinion of General Jackson," said General 
Lee, "^nas been greatly enhanced during this (the Maryland campaign) 
expedition. He is true, honest, and brave; has a single eye to the 
good of the service, and spares no exertion to accomplish his ob- 
ject." (General Jackson received his promotion to Lieutenant-General 
on October 11th, and was appointed to the Second Army Corps. 

An old Confederate soldier, Mr. Harry Tongue, of Annapolis, Md., 
who had been Jackson's courier, on the night he turned the flank of 
Pope's Army, said that his critics would say of him that when he was a 
colonel, he could be that very well; but he was incapable of being a 
brigadier-general ; when he had i)roved himself splendid in that ca- 
pacity, these same critics would declare, he could fill the position of 
Brigadier-General, but was not fitted to be a Major-General. Then 
when he had proved superb in this high post, they would admit that 
he was a success as a Major-General, l)ut he was not fitted to wear a 
Lieutenant-General's imiform." His exploits at Chancellorsville an- 
swered completely and successfully all adverse criticism. 

Wolseley's Opinion of Jackson. — "Stonewall Jackson — His name 
will live forever also beside that of Lee in American history." — 
Sir Garnet Joseph JVolseley, to a lady of Mobile. — South Mag., Vol. 
12, p. 232. 

Jackson Disappointed His Critics — "Some of the Lexington 
soldiers, and some of the old cadets (at V. M. L) sneered at Jackson's 
appointment as the colonel of a Virginia Regiment, made all manner of 
fun of him, and told various anecdotes of his career at the Virginia 
Military Institute to disparage him. I remetnber one of them said 
to me : 'Governor Letcher has made a great mistake in promoting 'Old 
Jack' ; he is no soldier. If he wanted a real soldier, why did he not give 
the place to Major ' mentioning the name of a very worthy 



186 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

gentleman, who afterwards served in the army, but made no reputation 
as a soldier." — Chaplain J. ]Vm. Jones. C. S. A., South. Hist. Mag., 
Vol. 35, pp. 80-1. 

Jackson proved the undoing of his adverse critics, and won besides the 
admiration of all Americans for his military skill. His Valley Cam- 
paign is "studied in the Mihtary Academies of England and Germany 
as an example of able strateg}-, rapid marching and heroic fighting. '^' 

Opinions on Jackson's Military Merits — "If his (Jackson's) mili- 
tary characteristics are compared with those of so great a soldier as 
Wellington, it will be seen that in many respects they run on parallel 
lines. Both had perfect confidence in their own capacity. 'I can do,' 
said Jackson, 'whatever I will to do,' while the Duke, when a young 
general in India, congratulated himself that he had learned not be 
deterred by apparent impossibilities. Both were patient, fighting on 
their own terms, or fighting not at all. Both were prudent, and yet 
when audacity was justified by the character of their opponents and 
the condition of his troops, they took no counsel of their fears. They 
were not enamored of the defensive, for they knezv the value of the 
iniative, and that offensive strategy is the strategy which annihilates. 
Yet. when their enemy remained concentrated, they were content to 
wait until they could induce him to disperse. Both were masters of 
ruse and stratagem, and the Virginian was as industrious as the 
Englishman." — Henderson's Life of Stonewall Jackson.—.^. H. Mag.. 
Vol. 25. pp.94-5. 

"I had the privilege once of hearing General Lee, in his office at 
Lexington. Va., pronounce a glowing eulogy on Jackson, in which he 
said, with far more than his accustomed warmth of feeling: 'He never 
failed me. Why, if I had had Stonewall Jackson at Gettysburg, I 
should have won that battle, and, if I had won a decided victory there, 
we would have established the independence of the Confederacy." — 
Chaplain J. Wm. Jones, C. S. A., S. Hist. Mag., Vol. 25, pp. 96-7. . 

Tributes to Stonewall Jackson. — From Lee to Jackson on his 
dying-bed : "Could I have dictated events, I should have chosen, for 
the good of the country, to have been disabled in your stead." 

"The negro Sunday School which he taught with such devotion, ex- 
erted an influence on the negroes of Lexington, which is felt to this 
day among the negroes of that whole region." 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 187 

"Tlie first contribution made to the fund which has placed at his 
grave tlie beautiful statue which is the work of Edward Valentine, and 
is a veritable Stonewall Jackson in bronze, was made by the negro 
Baptist Church at Lexington, Va., whose pastor kad beepi a ptipil at 
the negro Sunday School." 

"And there has been placed recently a beautiful Stonewall Jackson 
memorial window in the new negro Presbyterian Church in the City 
of Roanoke, through the influence of the negro pastor, who was a 
member of Jackson's Sunday School."— C/ja^/o/;; /. IVm. Jones, C. S. 
.-!., South. Hist. Mag.. \'ol. 25, p. 97. 

A Federal General's Opinion of Jackson. — Major-General Oliver 
O. Howard, of the United States Army, wrote of Jackson after his 
death : 

"Stonewall Jackson was victorious (at Chancellorsville). Even his 
enemies praise him, but, providentially for us, it was the last battle 
that he waged against the American Union. For, in bold planning, 
in energy of execution he had power to difiFuse, in indefatigable ac- 
tivity and moral ascendancy, Jackson stood head and shoulders above 
his confreres, and after his death General Lee could not replace him." 
-^Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, ^^ol. 3, p. 202. 

General Lee Praises Jackson. — On June 11, 1862, when General 
Lee had heard of Cross Keys and Port Republic, he wrote from his 
headquarters in Richmond to General Jackson : 

"Your recent successes have been the cause of the liveliest joy in 
this army as well as in the country. The admiration excited by your 
skill and boldness has been constantly mingled with solicitude for your 
situation." 

General Lee in this letter gave to General Jackson specific directions 
how to make his movement to join him, leaving a small force in or 
near the \'alley to watch and annoy the enemy and to guard the passes. 
"Keep me advised of your movements," concluded General Lee, "and 
if practicable, precede your troops that we may co-operate and arrange 
for simultaneous attack." 

So thoroughly had General Jackson deceived his immediate foes of 
■ the \'alley that, on the 28th of Jime, when Jackson was on the Peninsula 
fighting McClellan, a hundred miles away from the Valley, Banks 
telegraphed that Jackson was near Winchester, and he believed Jack- 
son was meditating an attack in the Valley. 



188 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND IXCIDENTS IN 

Those Who Knew Jackson Most Loved Him Best. — No man, it 
has been said, is a hero to his valet. The fact was apparent with 
Stonewall Jackson that those who kneiv him best, loved and admired 
him the most. In closing his delightful narrative of the Shenandoah 
Valley Campaign, General Richard Taylor, with Jackson during the 
gerater part of it, says of him : 

"What limit to set to his ability, I know not, for he was ever 
superior to occasion. Under ordinary circumstances it was difficult 
to estimate him, because of his peculiarities that would have made a 
lesser man absurd, but this served to enhance his martial fame, as 
those of Samuel Johnson did his literary eminence. He once observed, 
in allusion to his severe marching, that it was better to lose in marching, 
than live in fighting, and, acting on this, he invariably surprised the 
enemy — Milroy at McDowell; Banks and Fremont in the Valley; Mc- 
Clellan's right at Cold Harbor ; Pope at Second Manassas ;" and it may 
be well added, in his master-stroke, as Jackson on his dying couch 
declared it to be, when he struck the rear of Hooker's army at Chan- 
cellorsville. 

General Pershing's Tribute to Jackson. — On June 18. 1920, Gen- 
eral John J. Pershing, while at Lexington. \'a., placed a wreath upon 
the grave of General Robert E. Lee, and delivered a brief address, 
during which he said that Lee was one of the world's greatest generals. 
V'eterans of the Civil and World War stood at attention during the 
ceremonies. General Pershing then visited the tomb of General 
Thomas Jonathan Jackson, and declared that "the world looked on 
him and his accomplishments with admiration and awe." 



THE I^IFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 189 

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT. 



THE PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 



Dr. Hunter McGuire's Description of Jackson — A Pen Picture 
of Jackson by One of His Scholars. 

Dr. Hunter McGuire's Description of Jackson. — "In person Jack- 
son was a tall man, six feet high, angular, strong, with rather large 
feet and hands. He rather strided along as he walked, taking long 
steps and swinging his body a little. There was something firm and 
decided in his gait. His eyes were dark bluC; large and piercing. 
He looked straight at you and through you almost as he talked. His 
nose was aquiline, his nostrils thin and mobile. His mouth was broad, 
his lips very thin. Generally they were compressed. He spoke in terse, 
short sentences, always to the point. There was never any circum- 
locution about what he had to say. His hair was brown and inclined 
to auburn. His beard was brown. He was as gentle and kind as a 
woman to those he loved. There was sometimes a softness and 
tenderness about him that was very striking. Under every and all 
circumstances he never forgot that he was a Christian, and rcted up to 
his Christian faith unswervingly, yet he was not a bigoted denomi- 
nationalist." 

A Pen Picture of Jackson by One of His Scholars. — "His (Jack- 
son's) action during the day, when at the barracks, was absolutely me- 
chanical. He had little talent for teaching. He was quite deaf; and 
in movement and figure ungainly. His countenance was noble, and 
his features were good. But his singidarity of life and manner brought 
upon him more than the usual jests and tricks of the cadets. He was 
called 'Hickory,' 'Old Jack,' and 'Square box,' from the unusual size 
of Tiis feet. Not infrequently would the black-board in his 'section- 
room, be decorated with a drawing of an enormous foot. If he hap- 
pened to leave the barracks on his return to the village, when the 
corps was waiting for orders to fall in ranks, it was not unusual cir- 
cumstances for some dare-devil to close in behind him and follow him 
in lock-step, to the great amusement of the corps. Major Jackson, 
never turning his head, and apparently oblivious to the close proximity 
of the daring student, would march on as if absolutely alone. The 
writer has seen a class seated around him in a horse-shoe curve, the 
heels of which were a trifle behind him. and while he wa3 intentlv 



190 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

watching the reciting cadet, those at the heels of the curve would be 
bombarding each other over his head with paper billets. On the drill 
ground the light pieces of artillery being drawn in evolution by the 
cadets, a favorite trick was to whirl the gun oh Major Jackson in order 
to force him undignifiedly about for a safe place. It was said that see- 
ing through the joke on one occasion, bracing himself, he held his 
sword drawn pointed toward the rapidly advancing team, and forced 
a deflection without moring from his tracks. 

"No one recalls a smile, a humorous speech, anything from him 
while at the barracks. He was not sullen, or gloomy, or particularly 
dull. He was simply a silent, unobtrusive man doing his duty in an 
unentertaining way — merely an automaton. And yet the cadets held 
him in high estimation. There w^as no enthusiasm for him. The feel- 
ing was one which no one could well describe. He was not praised; 
he was not abused. He was the butt of boyish pranks, but not the victim 
of a malevolence. It was known that when the opportunity occurred 
in the Mexican War, he had displayed great courage. All were con- 
vinced, as if by intuition, that he would display it again if the occasion 
for it arose. The boyish-mind, without definitely analyzing Major 
Jackson's make-up, knew that' something more than the common lay 
beneath the calm and serene exterior. The writer turas to a 'scrap- 
book' kept by a cadet at the Institute in 1855, and finds this doggerel :. 

" 'Hickory, alias Major T. J. Jackson'." 

" 'Like some rude brute that ranged the forest wild, 

So rude, uncouth, so purely nature's child, 

Is 'Hickory,' and yet methinks I see 

The stamp of genius on his brow.' 

And he, with his wise glance and keen but quiet eye, 

Can draw forth from the secret recesses where they lie, 

Those thoughts and feelings of the human heart, 

Most virtuous, good, and free of guilty art. 

There's something in his very mode of life, 

So accurate, steady, void of strife, 

That fills my heart with love for him who bears his honors meek. 

And wears the laurels of a hero.' 

''And this about expressed the sentiments of the entire corps." 

"The lines are not devoted to a diagnosis of Major Jackson alone, 
but they occur in a review of the 'Faculty of the V. M. I.,' and the 



THE LIFE OF STONEVVALI. JACKSON, LIEUT. -GEN'., C. S. A. 191 

singular penetration of the author would be more interesting if pro- 
priety would permit the publication of the very strong contrast in the 
opinion of the composer between Jackson and the other professors. 

"And thus we get a glimpse of the man unknown and unhonored, 
save in a very small circle, down to the spring of 1861, when war be- 
tween the States became imminent. Up to probably April, 1861, the 
citizens of Lexington were strongly Union in sentiment, while the 
cadets were all ardent secessionists. This difference of opinion came 
near resulting in a bloody fracas, and after the cadets had returned to 
their barracks and quiet had been restored, a corps meeting was 
called, to listen to addresses on the situation from the professors. 
After several had spoken Major Jackson remained seated and was only 
aroused by continuous demands from the cadets for a speech. This 
was the first symptom of what was to come. Instinctively those glow- 
ing youths knew that the man of war was now to have his oppor- 
tunity, and turning from the mere attractive oratory of the other 
professors they would have nothing but a speech from the silent man 
who, so many years, had afforded them much amusement. \\'ith un- 
affected diffidence Major Jackson slowly arose, and turning to his 
youthful audience, said: 'Gentlemen, I am a man of few words; 
when the time for fighting comes, I will draw the sword, and throw 
away the scabbard,' and sat down." 

'"The thrilling effect of these words is felt by the writer to this 
day. They touched the heart of every boy who heard them, and men 
now gray will tell of the enthusiastic cheers which drowned all fur- 
then speechers. Jackson had taken his step towards immortality." 

The men in contact with Jackson, not only before the war, but even 
in its earlier stages and far after they had heard of him and the Stone- 
wall Brigade at Bull Run, still did not know him. Major Randolph 
Barton, by whom the alx)ve extracts were v/ritten. says that on the 
"Bath" or "Romney" expedition in January, 1862, about dusk on the 
preceding return of the army from the advanced point which over- 
looked Hancock, Maryland, one of the baggage wagons sank so deep 
in the mud that the straining horses were pow-erless to move it. Jack- 
son was in the neighborhood, and at once dismounted, and. seizing 
the spokes of a wheel, aided the men to lift the wagon from the rut 
into which it had deeply sunk. The writer recalls the mutter of a 
Colonel who was looking on : 'Yes, that is the business he ought 
always to be at.' 



192 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

"The writer last saw General Jackson about 4 P. M., on the after- 
noon of May 2. 1863, at the junction of the Brock road with the Orange 
plank road. The fifteen-mile circuit had been completed. Like the 
men, he was brown with dust of the heavily travelled road. He had 
been led by General Fitzhugh Lee, commanding the cavalry, at that 
point, to the little elevation, Purton's Hill, and from his concealed 
position had looked down almost into the eyes of the unsuspecting foe. 
Seated upon a log, his arms folded, his entire manner was that of the 
utmost composure. He was giving General Paxton directions and 
where to deploy the Stonewall Brigade." — The above extracts from a 
paper by Major Randolph Barton. C. S. A., are found in Vol. .38 of the 
South Hist. Mag., pp. 272-287. 



THE LIFE (JF STONEWAI.L JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 193 

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE. 



HOW STONEWALL JACKSON RECEIVED HIS 
DEATH WOUND. 



How General Jackson Received His Death Wound — General 
Jackson Rode Forward to Make a Reconnoisance — One of His Staff 
Warns Him of His Danger Between the Union and Confederate 
Armies at Night — Jackson Declared that the Danger was All Over 
— Confronted by a Heavy Body of the Enemy at Close Quarters — 
Rode Back to His Own Lines at a Rapid Pace and Was Mistaken 
for the Federals and Fired upon by the 18th North Carolina and 
Wounded — Great Difficulty in Getting General Jackson OfiF the 
Field. 

How General Jackson Received His Death Wound. — The Federal 
Amiy. at Chancellorsville, Saturday, May 2, 1863, with Jackson on 
itg flank and at its rear, had been driven back relentlessly from five in 
the afternoon until half past eight in the night. Jackson was aiming 
to get possession of the road that cut off the fords of the river from 
Hooker in retreat to Washington. The Confederate advance was 
within three-quarters of a mile of the pivotal point of the plan of 
battle. With the fords in Jackson's possession, T,ee was to attack, 
and Hooker's Army was to be destroyed. That was the aim of the 
two great leaders of the Confederate hosts. It was on the very eve of 
accomplishment. Jackson rode forward to make a reconnoissance in 
person to see how the ground lay for the next movement. He was 
between the two lines of battle. 

One of General Jackson's staff caught hold of the reins of his horse, 
and said : 

"General, don't you think this is the wrong place for you?" 

To this General Jackson replied : "The danger is all over. The 
enemy is routed. Go back and tell A. P. Hill to press forward." 

There were, with General Jackson. Captain R. E. Wilbourn, Captain 
William Randolph, Sergeant George W. Tucker, chief of couriers for 
General A. P. Hill, and several of the Sergeant's men, and two mem- 
bers of the signal corps. 

General Hooker, at this moment, feeling the pressure of Jackson's 
attack, that threatened his quarters, came down upon the Confederate 



194 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

advance four lines thick, in the hope of recovering his barricades. A 
volley of bullets, at close range, flew thick amongst General Jackson's 
party, while the artillery began an attack. Even then General Jackson 
did not realize the danger he was in, for it was at this time a staff 
officer seized the reins of his horse, warned him of his danger, to which 
Jackson replied there was none ; but the Federal forces were in mighty 
earnestness, and came on with such force and determination that Gen- 
eral Jackson found himself confronted with a heavy body of the enemy 
at close quarters. Jackson and his party turned towards the Con- 
federate lines, for which they made at a quick gallop. Sergeant 
Tucker, who was with them, told the author that he realized that, under 
the strained conditions of the lines and the certain expectancy of the 
Confederates of having an attack from the Federals, this was a wrong 
movement, since, as they approached their own men in the darkness 
of the night, they would be taken for the foe. 

The waiting Confederates at that point of the field, the 18th North 
Carolina, thinking that the enemy was advancing upon them, just as 
Jackson and his command reached a grove of trees, immediately in 
front of the Confederate lines, fired upon them. Jackson was wounded. 
His staff officers fell around him. Two of Sergeant Tucker's men 
were killed, and he himself was taken prisoner, while yet others were 
wounded. 

General Jackson received three wounds. Two balls entered the left 
arm, severing the artery, and one pierced his right. All of his im- 
mediate and personal escorts, excepting Captain Randolph and Mr. 
Winn, were killed. The firing ceased as suddenly as it had been 
delivered. 

Captain Wilburn said : "General, they must have been our men." 
To this General Jackson assented with a nod ; but -said nothing. He 
looked towards his line with an air of astonishment, as though it was 
impossible for him to realize that he could have been shot by his own 
soldiers. One of the balls in his left arm was above and the other 
below the elbow. The ball in the right arm entered the hand. 

"Little Sorrel," terrified by the fire, had dashed away in the direc- 
tion of the Federals, and General Jackson had extreme difilculty 
from his wounds in controlling him. His bridle-hand was useless and 
he was almost dragged from his saddle by the undergrowth of the 
wood. Yet he seized the reins with his right hand ; and, stopping his 
horse, brought him back to his own lines, where he was assisted to the 



THE LIFE OF STOXEWAIJ. JACKSOX, LIEUT. -GEN., C. S. A. 195 

ground by Captain \Vill)urn, his signal ofticer. The firing had been 
stopped by Lieutenant Morrison, who. after his horse had been killed 
under him, ran to the front on the firing line, and, after great difticulty 
in keeping himself heard, informed the troops there, that they were 
firing on their own men. 

As sc^^n as this was accomplished, the Lieutenant returned to his 
wounded general, who was now lying prone on the ground. Captain 
\\'ill)urn and Mr. Winn were beside him — the former engaged in rip- 
ping open, with a pen-knife, the General's rubber coat, in order that 
he might reach the wounds in the left arm and stop their bleeding. 
General A. P. Hill, who had been informed of the wounding of General 
Jackson, rode up and expressed his sorrow. Dismounting from his 
horse, he bent down and asked : 

''General, are you ver}- much hurt?" General Jackson replied: 
"Yes, General, I think I am ; and all my wounds were from my own 
men. I believe my arm is broken ; it gives me severe pain."' General 
Jackson was then asked : "Are you hurt elsewhere. General?" "Yes." 
he replied, "in my right hand." When asked afterward if this should 
be bound up, he said: "No, never mind. It is a trifle." Yet, two o^ 
the bones in that hand were broken, and the palm was almost pierced 
through. Not a word of complaint fell from him. and he answered all 
questions in the same calm and equitable manner in which he gave 
orders in the mighty conflict of battle. He desired Dr. McGuire. When 
informed that he was engaged in his professional duties far to the 
rear, he said to Captain Wilburn : "Then I wish you to get me a 
skilful surgeon." General Hill told him that Dr. Barr was near at hand 
and he was immediately called to the general. Upon his reaching 
General Jackson, the General in a whisper asked General Hill : "Is he 
a skilful surgeon?" The answer was that he stood high in the brigade 
and that all that he would do, would be to use precautionary treat- 
ment until Dr. McGuire could reach him. To this the wounded general 
replied : "Very good." 

His field glass and haversack were removed from him. While he 
lay prone upon the ground two Federal soldiers, with guns cocked, 
walked within a few feet of the group clustered around him. General 
Hill, in a subdued tone and composed manner, turned and ordered: 
"Take charge of those men." Two orderlies, at once, ran forward, 
seized the muskets of the two, which the surprised soldiers gave up 
without resistance. Lieutenant Morrison, hearing voices in the di- 



196 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

rection of Ishe Federals, walked to the edge of the timber, and, in the 
moonlight discovered a section of the enemy's artillery being nn- 
limbered not a hundred yards away. Returning quickly to General 
Hill with this startling information, the general gave orders that Gen- 
eral Jackson should, at once, be taken to the rear, and that it should not 
be told the troops that it was he who was injured. Getting into his 
saddle, General Hill returned to his own command, and was shortly 
afterward, himself disabled by a wound. 

Lieutenants Smith and Morrison, Captain Leigh, of General Hill's 
staff, with a courier, took General Jackson up in their arms ; but, after 
being carried for a brief time, he said to them that he was suffering so 
much pain from being assisted that he would endeavor to walk by him- 
self. They placed him on his feet, and he walked to the turnpike. 
They had no sooner reached the road, than the Federal battery from 
which they had moved away, fired a round of canister which swept 
over the heads of the party and crashed through the trees about them. 
No one was hurt, and the whole of the company with him lay down 
on the roadside endeavoring to shield the General as nmch as possible, 
by putting him in the lowest ground. 

While General Jackson lay on the ground, the rain of cannon balls 
was terrific. The escape of the party was marvellous. The earth 
about them was torn up. the ground covered with dust, and the gravel 
of the road, lashed by the balls, glistened with streaks of fire. Once 
General Jackson attempted to rise, but he was stopped by those about 
him, who endeavored to protect him by sheltering him with their own 
bodies. Lieutenant Smith threw his arms about him and holding him 
down, exclaimed: "General, you tyinst be still; it will cost you your 
life if you rise." 

The Federal cannonnaders then changed their charges to shell and 
elevated their range, when the attendants of General Jackson again 
sought to take him to the rear, supporting him with their young and 
faithful iarms, as he slowly and with great pain fairly dragged himself 
along. 

As the Confederates were hastening to the front, they met Jackson's 
party, and many times the question was repeated : ''Whom have you 
there?" Jackson, desiring that his own troops should not know it was 
he, gave directions to leave the road and to enter the woods. He 
ordered his attendants not to tell them who it was, but simply say it was 
a Confederate ofticer. Yet he was recognized in spite of all his care 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 197 

and caution by some af his command, who exclaimed : "Great God, it is 
General Jackson !" 

General Pender, of North Carolina, was one of the number who re- 
cognized the wounded general. x\pproaching him and expressing his 
profound sorrow, he said to him : "The troops have suffered severely 
from the enemy's artillery, and are somewhat discouraged ; I fear we 
cannot maintain our [)osition. Weak and wounded as he was, his 
martial spirit rose to the height of the legion of immortal victories 
he had won, and, as his eyes flashed with fire and his tongue spoke 
with the valor of his soul, he exclaimed : "You must hold your ground, 
General Pender! you must hold your ground, sir." 

This was the last military order given by Stonewall Jackson. 

General Jackson desired to sit down, but the danger was too great to 
grant him this small comfort, and a litter being brought, he was placed 
upon it, and the bearers started to take him to the rear. 

As they struggled through the tangled under])rush, the General's face 
was scratched and his clothing torn. Whilst this slow and painful 
progress was being made, a shot struck the arm of one of his litter- 
bearers, which made him let go his hold, and General Jackson, with 
great force, fell to the ground upon his wounded side. This caused 
him severe pain, and, for the first time, the wounded soldier gave a 
groan. He was quickly raised up, when his attendants found the blood 
again flowing from his wound and a deathly pallor spread over his 
face, that gave those around him the fear that he was about to die. 
Lieutenant Smith exclaimed: '"Oh, General, are you seriously hurt?" 
"No, Mr. Smith, don't trouble yourself about me," and then added 
some expression about winning the battle first, and attending to the 
wounded afterward. Again he was laid upon the litter, and, under an 
unremitting fire, was carried a few hundred yards, when he was met 
by Dr. McGuire with an ambulance. 



198 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 



JACKSON'S SAINTLY LIFE WAS CROWNED WITH A 
CHRISTIAN WARRIOR'S DEATH. 



Jackson and Gregg Reconciled at the Death-Bed of the Latter — 
Jackson Was Happy When He Could Keep the Glory of God as His 
Aim Before Him — The Last Scene in Stonewall Jackson's Life. 

Jackson and Gregg Reconciled at the Death-Bed of the Latter. — 

General Gregg had given offense to General Jackson. The night before 
the battle of Fredericksburg, Colonel A. R. Boteler, shared Jackson's 
bed. "At midnight, Jackson's tent-mate, who had not yet fallen 
asleq), saw the soldier rise, dress and go to his desk. He lit his candle, 
and placing some books on end, so as to conceal the light from the 
.supposed sleeper's eyes, began to work. From work he passed to re- 
flection, and his friend said, suddenly : 

" 'What are you thinking of. General?' 

" 'Oh, are you awake?' was his reply; T was thinking of the battle 
to-morrow, and the balls will be hotter on the hill by the crossing than 
to-day.' 

"As they were conversing, the sound of a horse's hoofs was heard 
approaching; the noise ceased, and an orderly came into the tent. 

" 'Who is that ?' asked Jackson. 

" 'Somebody from General Gregg, sir.' 

" 'Tell him to come in.' 

"An officer appeared at the opening and, saluting Jackson, said : 

" 'General Gregg is dying. General, and he sent me to say to you that 
he wrote a letter recently in which he used expressions he is now 
sorr>' for. He says he meant no disrespect by that letter, and was only 
doing what he considered to be his duty. He hopes you will forgive 
him.' 

"Jackson listened to these words in silence, but it was evident that he 
was greatly moved. When the officer had ceased speaking, he said, 
earnestly : 

" 'Tell General Gregg I will be with him directly.' 

"Then calling his body-servant, he directed him to saddle his 'Old 
Sorrel.' 



THE LIFE OF STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 199 

"To this, however, the considerate Jim objected, and commenced an 
elaborate account of what 'Old Sorrel' had passed through that day. 
Jackson checked him impatiently, and directed him to obey without fur- 
ther words. 

" 'Say to the General,' he added, turning to the officer, 'that 1 will 
be with him immediately.' 

"And he was soon in the saddle, riding through the chilly December 
night, upon his mission. 

'*\\"e know not what passed that night between the two brother- 
soldiers — what words were exchanged, or what pardon was granted 
ere it was asked — or what solemn farewells took place between the 
man about to die and him who watched beside him. There are many 
dramas in war — the curtain never rises upon some most affecting." 

Jackson Was Happy When He Could Keep the Glory of God as 
His Aim Before Him. — The Rev. Dr. Hoge of Richmond visited 
Jackson in the winter of 1862-3, at his camp in Moss Neck.. In speak- 
ing of this visit, Dr. Hoge said of General Jackson : 

"Indeed, it seems hardly possible to be long in the society of that 
noble and honored General, that simple-hearted, straightforward, de- 
voted man of God, without catching something of his spirit — the .spirit 
of toil, of patience, of modesty, of careful conscientiousness, of child- 
like dependence on God, of fervent, believing prayer. While I was in 
camp, I preached five times in the Stonewall Brigade. How the men 
crowded into their log church, how they listened, how they seemed to 
hang upon the word, you, of all men, need least be told, for you have 
seen so much of them from the beginning of the war. On vSunday night, 

after preaching, the General, Mr. , and myself, had a long 

talk, as we sat drying our boots by the open fire. When it was nearly 
eleven o'clock, the General asked me to conduct worship; and, after- 
wards, before retiring, he set us an example of kneeling again for 
.secret prayer. He then shared his bed upon the floor with me, and 
we talked till long after midnight. Though usually tactitnrn, he led 
the conversation. How anxious he was for his army, how anxious for 
himself. How manifest it was that he was a man whose desire is to be 
right in all things, and especially to be right before God ! In our 
whole intercourse I could not detect the slightest trace of self-import- 
ance, ostentation or seeking after vain glory. To glorify God possessed 
all his thoughts. 'I have been thinking a great deal about our chief 
latelv,' said he, 'and I think the first answer in our catechism tells it 



200 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

all ; a man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever ; 
and I think,' he added, 'we need not trouble ourselves much about the 
second party if we only attend well to the first. I find my life in camp 
a very happy one when I am enabled to keep this aim steadily before 
me — to live for the glory of God'." 

The Last Scene in Stonewall Jackson's Life. — On Thursday even- 
f c* r -^ ing, May 7, 1862, all pain with Stonewall Jackson had ceased, but 
a mortal prostration had ensued from which he never rallied. He 
conversed in feeble tones and said : 

"I consider these wounds a blessing; they were given me for some 
good and wise purpose, and I would not part with them if I could." 

The physician had given up hope of his recovery, and Mrs. Jackson 
informed the dying chieftain that the time of his departure w'as at 
hand. 

On Sunday morning it was plain to all that he could only survive a 
few hours, yet his mind was clear and still on his Master's business. 
He asked Major Pendleton, his Adjutant-General, "Who was preaching 
at headquarters that day?" 

Mrs. Jackson remained with him in his last moments, and he con- 
versed freely with her. To her General Jackson said : 

"I know you would gladly give your life for me; but I am perfectly 
resigned. Do not be sad. I hope I shall recover. Pray for me, but 
always remember in your prayers to use the petition, 'Thy wall be 
done'." 

In case of his demise, he counseled her to return to her father's 
house, and said : 

"You have a kind, good father, but there is no one so kind and good 
as your Heavenly Father." 

He was all of sweetness and affection to those about him. Softly 
like the twilight of evening the great spirit was gathering its folds 
about it to take its flight to another world. In the face of death there 
was no change in his mind or conduct. "It will be infinite gain," he 
said, "to be translated to heaven, and be with Jesus." 

Mrs. Jackson informed him that his last moments were at hand. 
He softly answered : "\'ery good, very good ; it is all right." 

Apprised that his end was near, he sent kind messages to his friends, 
his commanders and others, and expressed a wish to be buried in "Lex- 
ington in the \^alley of X'irginia." 



THK IJFE OK STONEWALL JACKSON, LIEUT.-GKN., C. S. A. 201 

Then liis mind commenced to wander. His memory began to turn 
to the martial fields where he had won immortal renown. Reverting to 
his latest battle, in brief periods apart he commanded : 

"Order A. P. Hill to prepare for action." 

"Pass the infantry to the front !" 

*'Tell Major Hawkes to send forward provisions to the men." 

Then this military spirit left him for one of repose. His agitation 
calmed, his countenance became tranquil, and with a smile lighting 
his countenance, he murmured : 

"Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees." 

So, on Sunday the 10th day of May, 1863, at fifteen minutes past 
three in the afternoon, Stonewall Jackson crossed the river and rested 
under the shade of the trees of eternal life. 

Thus the commander of his victorious and invincible legions and 
the servant of the Most High God, environed by grief-stricken and 
weeping friends in the hour and article of death, showed the heart- 
broken gtoup about him how the Christian warrior can die, as the 
gates of heaven opened for his immortal spirit to enter and join the 
armies of the skies. 



202 A THESAURUS OF ANECDOTES OF AND INCIDENTS IN 

STONEWALL JACKSON'S WAY. 



This is the famous "Stonewal Jackson's Way," written by tlie 
late Dr. John Williamson Palmer, of Baltimore : 

Come, stack arms, men ; pile on the rails. 

Stir up the campfire bright : 
No matter if the canteen fails, 

We'll make a roaring night ; 
Here Shenandoah brawls along, 
The burly Blue Ridge echoes strong. 
To swell the Brigade's rousing song 

Of "Stonewall Jackson's Way." 

We see him now — the old slouched hat 

Cocked o'er his eye askew — 
The shrewd, dry smile — the speech so pat, 

So calm, so blunt, so true. 
The "Blue-Light Elder" knows 'em well- 
Says he, "That.5s Banks; he's fond of shell — 
Lord save his soul! we'll give him — ;" Well, 

That's "Stonewall Jackson's Way." 

Silence! ground arms; kneel all! hats off! 

Old Blue Light's going to pray ; 
Strangle the fool that dares to scoff; 

Attention ! 'tis his way. 
Appealing from his native sod. 
In forma pauperis to God — 

"Lay bare Thine arm ; stretch forth Thy rod ; 

Amen!" That's "Stonewall Jackson's Way." 

He's in the saddle now. Fall in ! 

Steady, the whole brigade, 
Hill's at the ford, cut off ; we'll win 

His way out, ball and blade. 
What matter* if our shoes are worn? 
What matter if our feet are torn? 
Quickstep — we're with him ere the dawn. 

That's "Stonewall Jackson's Way." 



THE LIFE OF STONEWAIX JACKSON, LIEUT.-GEN., C. S. A. 203 

The sun's bright lances rout the mists 

Of morning, and, by George, 
Here's Longstreet struggling in the lists, 

Hemmed in an ugly gorge. 
Pope and his Yankees ! — whipped before — 
"Bayonet and grape!" hear Stonewall roar. 
"Charge, Stuart! Pay off Ashby's score!" 

In "Stonewall Jackson's Way." 

Ah, maiden, wait and watch and yearn 

For news of Stonewall's band ; 
Ah, widow, see with eyes that burn 

That ring upon thy hand ; 
Ah, wife, sew on, pray on, hope on, 
Thy life shall not be all forlorn — 
The foe had better ne'er been born 

That gets in Stonewall's way. 



-THE END.- 







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